On Sunday, February 8, 2026, Lake Erie’s frozen expanse was dramatically split by a massive crack, stretching more than 80 miles from Port Burwell, Canada, to near Cleveland, Ohio. The fissure, captured in vivid detail by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) GOES-19 satellite, has become a striking symbol of the extraordinary winter gripping the Great Lakes region this year. While cracks in the lake’s ice aren’t unheard of, the sheer scale and timing of this event have drawn the attention of meteorologists, local officials, and residents alike.
According to FOX 8 Meteorologists, the crack measured roughly 3 to 4 miles wide and was located about 5 to 10 miles off Cleveland’s coast. The satellite imagery, widely shared on social media and news outlets, shows the fissure slicing across the lake’s icy surface—a reminder that even when Lake Erie appears nearly solid, the forces of nature are always at work beneath and above.
NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory reported that as of Sunday, Lake Erie was about 95.4% covered in ice, a figure that’s far above the historical norm for early February. In fact, data from NOAA dating back to 1973 indicate that on average, Lake Erie is only about 54.4% ice-covered at this time of year. This winter, however, has been anything but average. The lake has maintained at least 90% ice coverage for 16 consecutive days—the longest such stretch since the winter of 2018-2019, according to FOX 8. Sunday also marked the 17th day in a row that Cleveland’s high temperature failed to reach the freezing mark, a testament to the relentless Arctic air that’s blanketed the region since January 22.
But what caused this dramatic rupture? Meteorologist Scott Sabol explained to FOX 8 that cracks often form in the ice when shifting winds and fluctuating temperatures place stress on the frozen surface. The most recent crack followed a period of strong winds sweeping across the Great Lakes on Friday and Saturday, pushing and pulling at the lake’s ice as yet another blast of Arctic air descended. “Large cracks typically form as a result of fluctuating temperatures and shifting winds, which place stress on the frozen surface,” noted WSMV, citing NOAA’s analysis.
NOAA’s GOES-19 satellite, which monitors weather systems across North and Central America, captured a time-lapse video of the event. The agency’s social media team posted, “Maybe the ice really IS all it’s cracked up to be on #LakeErie! NOAA’s #GOESEast (#GOES19) satellite captured a massive fracture forming in the lake ice yesterday. It was approximately 80 miles long, stretching from Port Burwell, Canada, to near Cleveland, Ohio.” The video quickly went viral, providing a rare, bird’s-eye view of the dynamic forces shaping the Great Lakes in winter.
While Lake Erie’s ice cover is impressive, it’s just one part of a broader story. This winter, approximately 50% of the entire Great Lakes system was covered with ice as of early February, according to FOX 2 and the U.S. National Ice Center. That’s well above the seasonal average, and the rapid growth in coverage was fueled by a recent Arctic blast. NOAA reported that overall ice on the Great Lakes leapt from just 5% on January 14 to 51% by January 31—a dramatic change in less than three weeks.
Lake Erie’s near-complete freeze is a rare phenomenon. If the lake were to reach 100% ice cover, it would mark only the third time on record since 1973. So far, the lake has fallen just short, with small pockets of open water remaining, especially on the western end. AccuWeather’s Great Lakes expert Brandon Buckingham told USA TODAY that “signs point towards a bit of a warmup in mid-February that may limit the chances of completely freezing.”
The consequences of such extensive ice coverage go beyond dramatic satellite images. Ice cover can shape weather patterns across the region, delay the arrival of spring warmth along shorelines, and influence recreational opportunities from fishing to snowmobiling. AccuWeather has already predicted a cooler-than-normal spring for the Great Lakes region in 2026, noting that the persistence of ice can keep lakeside communities chilly well into the season.
The crack itself is more than a visual curiosity—it’s a safety concern. News 5 Cleveland reported that the fissure, now estimated at over 100 miles long by some sources, has prompted warnings from local officials and meteorologists. “Lake Erie may still be 95% frozen, but it's only really solid in certain areas, and Cleveland is not one of them,” the outlet cautioned. Cleveland firefighters have been on heightened alert for potential ice rescues, as thawing temperatures expected after February 10 could further destabilize the ice and widen the crack. Residents and visitors are urged to admire the frozen spectacle from a safe distance and avoid venturing onto the ice near Cleveland, where conditions are especially treacherous.
Despite the dangers, winter sports enthusiasts on the Lake Erie islands—where the ice is typically more stable—continue to enjoy activities like ice fishing and snowmobiling. But the message near the mainland is clear: “Just don't do it if you are near Cleveland,” News 5 emphasized. The risk of becoming stranded or falling through thin ice is real, and local authorities have stressed vigilance as the weather warms.
Elsewhere on the Great Lakes, ice conditions remain variable. The U.S. National Ice Center reported that as of February 8, ice coverage on the Great Lakes was 54.29%, dipping slightly to 53.01% by February 9. Lake St. Clair, nestled between the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers, was completely frozen, while Lake Huron was roughly three-quarters iced over at 66.64%, down from 77.49% the previous week. These numbers reflect just how quickly conditions can change—and how closely scientists are watching as winter progresses.
Looking ahead, meteorologists expect more cracks to develop on Lake Erie as temperatures rise and winds shift from the southwest in the coming days. The combination of warming air and persistent wind is likely to test the limits of the lake’s icy armor. For now, the massive fracture stands as both a marvel and a warning, a reminder of nature’s power and unpredictability in the heart of winter.
As the region braces for the next round of weather changes, all eyes remain on Lake Erie—a lake that, even in its frozen state, refuses to be tamed.