Five Great Near-Frozen Lakes In The World

These winters more than eighty percent of the massive waterways are into their annual ice-up, as noticed by the lake-dwellers. This year the ice coverage is ten points higher than the last year’s records of 92.5 percent. The highest record was 94.7 percent way back in 1979. All we can do now is to wait and watch that whether 2015 is the year, when the record will topple the 1979s reach. The lakes which have got nearly-frozen are:

Lake Erie

At 96 percent, Lake Erie is one of the most frozen Great Lakes. Similar-sized Lake Ontario, which has never been completely covered by ice, now has begun to freeze. No doubts that Lake Erie tends to be frozen because it is lower altitude than its neighbor. It warms faster than the surrounding lakes, but also loses heat quickly.

Lake Huron

The Lake is 93.1 percent covered with ice this year. Lake Huron is a key access for lake-going ship traffic flow to metropolises on lakes Erie and Ontario. Therefore, when the ice gets too dense, ship traffic gets to a break. For ships whose endpoint is Lake Erie and beyond, they'll have to circumnavigate from Sarnia and Windsor, a difficult trip that might take four times longer than usual, while having ice breaking assistance.

Lake Superior

It is famous for being the coldest and greatest lakes of the world. In too June it has ice lingering, while is now 91.4 percent coverage with ice. The major reason is its large surface area where stronger winds, makes the water rough and breaks up new ice, though the lake is usually colder than the others. Even the shore of the Lake is hard rock frozen. But when the ice is present, the water takes a long time to get warm, so the lakeside revelers are usually out of luck. Last year, the lake was confirmed ice free on late June 7, but still some small icebergs have been spotted.

Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario, is deeper than Lake Erie. The lake has 52.7 percent ice coverage, somewhat ahead of Lake Michigan. Lake Ontario loses heat slower, and boasts tougher water flow, and takes longer to ice up, typically maxes out at a lower level. That's because new ice can form rapidly, and can be cracked up swiftly by winds thrashing up the lake waters into rough waves. All of the lakes are at risk, but Lake Ontario's slow rate of heat loss makes the procedure more effective.

Lake Michigan

The most visited lake has 52.4 percent of ice coverage this year, though it's hard to attain a full ice up. Unlike the other nearby lakes, Michigan stretches through latitudes north and south, making unbroken ice coverage doubtful. So there is a benefit of less evaporation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can expect higher water levels this spring.