Ice out reaches Ely
Northern Minnesota lakes are finally giving up their ice. Some BWCA lakes are still frozen
Ice out is moving north.
Warmer temperatures, sunshine, and brisk winds are taking the ice out on northern Minnesota lakes now. Ely, Minn., bellwether Lake Shagawa is ice-free as of 1:48 Friday afternoon according to the Ely Echo.
The median ice-out date for Shagawa Lake is April 27.
Overall ice-out this year has varied from about a week early in southern Minnesota to near average up north. Here’s the latest Minnesota DNR ice-out map to check the ice-out status of your favorite lake.
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Ice lingers in eastern BWCA
The last lakes in Minnesota to lose ice each year are typically the eastern section of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. This includes the Big Gunflint Trail lakes and big brawling Brule near Eagle Mountain.
I pulled today’s NASA MODIS 250-meter satellite shot over northeast Minnesota. Clouds obscure the southern part of the view, but you can clearly see ice-covered lakes in the eastern BWCA Friday.
Cooler next week
A cold front brings significantly colder weather to Minnesota next week. But winds and rain may keep the ice-out process unfolding in northeast Minnesota.
It won’t be long until all Minnesota lakes are ice-free for the 2020 summer season.