EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IN NORTH HERO CH NBC5 NEWS. IT’S A WINTER SIGHT MANY HAVEN’T SEEN IN YEARS. AFTER A STRETCH OF BITTER COLD, MOST OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN IS NOW NEARLY COVERED IN ICE SATELLITE IMAGES SHOW ONLY A SMALL AREA NEAR JUNIPER ISLAND IS STILL OPEN BRINGING THE LAKE CLOSE TO FULL ICE CLOSURE SOMETHING THAT’S BECOME INCREASINGLY RARE. SINCE 2010, THE LAKE HAS FULLY FROZEN JUST THREE TIMES MOST RECENTLY IN 2019. THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN COMMITTEE SAYS COLDER WINTERS CAN HELP KEEP WATER TEMPERATURES LOWER INTO THE SUMMER, AFFECTING ALGAE LEVELS AND OVERALL ECOSYSTEM HEALTH BUT HISTORICAL RECORDS DATING BACK TO THE EARLY 1800S SHOW FULL FREEZE-OVER WAS ONCE COMMON BUT RISING AIR TEMPERATURES HAVE MADE IT FAR LESS PREDICTABLE 00;06;43;00 – 00;06;58;09 Eileen Fitzgerald, Education & Outreach Associate <“I mean, we would love to see the lake freeze over more with the recent surges and Arctic air creating cold conditions. But, time can only tell. And, Frozen Lake is a really spectacular phenomenon, but it’s increasingly rare with climate change.”> THEY DO WARN ICE CONDITIONS CAN CHANGE QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY NEAR MOVING WATER, AND URGE PEOPLE TO GO WITH OTHERS, TEST THE ICE, AND DRESS APPROPRIATELY IF YOU PLAN ON STEPPING ONTO IT TYLER, THE WEATHER TODAY WAS…. ANCHORS CHAT…. .KEY MESSAGES… 1. Light terrain snow showers through earl
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Lake Champlain on the brink of full freeze
Since 2010, the lake has fully frozen just three times, most recently in 2019
Satellite imagery shows that only a small area near Juniper Island remains open, bringing the lake close to full ice closure, a sight that has become increasingly rare in recent decades.Since 2014, Lake Champlain has fully frozen just three times, most recently in 2019.According to the Lake Champlain Committee, colder winters can help keep lake temperatures lower into the summer months, which can influence algae levels and overall ecosystem health.Historical records dating back to the early 1800s show that a full freeze-over was once common on the lake.However, rising air temperatures have made ice closure far less predictable.”A frozen Lake Champlain is a really spectacular phenomenon, but it’s increasingly rare with climate change,” said Eileen Fitzgerald, an education and outreach associate. “Even with recent Arctic air, time will tell if the lake fully freezes over.”As interest in the ice grows, officials are urging caution. They warn that ice conditions can change quickly, especially near moving water, and advise people to go with others, test the ice, and dress appropriately before heading out.
Satellite imagery shows that only a small area near Juniper Island remains open, bringing the lake close to full ice closure, a sight that has become increasingly rare in recent decades.
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Since 2014, Lake Champlain has fully frozen just three times, most recently in 2019.
According to the Lake Champlain Committee, colder winters can help keep lake temperatures lower into the summer months, which can influence algae levels and overall ecosystem health.
Historical records dating back to the early 1800s show that a full freeze-over was once common on the lake.
However, rising air temperatures have made ice closure far less predictable.
“A frozen Lake Champlain is a really spectacular phenomenon, but it’s increasingly rare with climate change,” said Eileen Fitzgerald, an education and outreach associate. “Even with recent Arctic air, time will tell if the lake fully freezes over.”
As interest in the ice grows, officials are urging caution. They warn that ice conditions can change quickly, especially near moving water, and advise people to go with others, test the ice, and dress appropriately before heading out.
