at 1:13 PM by Mallory Schnell

Frozen Great Lakes

With more than 85% of the Great Lakes covered in ice and continued cold temperatures expected, the lakes could see record ice cover this year. The Great Lakes have currently surpassed the ice cover from this time last year, which became the second-highest ice cover year on record, at 91%. Lake Erie, the shallowest Great Lake, is 98% frozen and could reach full ice coverage; this has occurred three times on record: 1978, 1979, and 1996 (Capital Weather Gang). With below-average temperatures expected for the rest of the month, a record-breaking freeze is definitely a possibility for the Great Lakes.

The temperatures have been cold enough to partially freeze Niagara Falls, with tourists and photographers traveling from all around to see the seemingly frozen sight. While this partial freeze is not completely out of the ordinary, it is no less beautiful. Water continues to flow underneath the ice; the only time on record that the water flow has stopped was in 1848 (CNN News). Check out some shots of the frozen Niagara Falls below: