Great Lakes ice cover hits record levels

Frozen Lake Erie on Jan. 9, 2014 (Credit: NASA Earth Observatory)

Ice cover on the Great Lakes is hitting record levels, according to a release from Michigan State University Extension. The lakes are seeing the most ice they’ve seen in 20 years.

Data from the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory shows Lake Erie has the most cover, with more than 90 percent frozen over. Lake Huron follows with more than 60 percent cover. And more than half of Lake Superior is ice.

With a month of data collection left, higher ice levels could still be reached on the Great Lakes. Much of the harsh winter weather that has caused current levels still extends south of the region.