Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Ice out progressing north into central Minnesota lakes

Some lakes in Gull Lake chain are ice-free

Ice-out is moving north through central Minnesota. Higher temperatures, sunshine and gusty winds are helping to break up the ice on many Minnesota lakes.

Ice-out is now happening in many central Minnesota lakes in some of the most popular recreation areas.

Ice out progress Friday
Ice out progress Friday
Minnesota DNR

Gull Lake chain losing ice

The latest Minnesota DNR ice-out report shows some of the lakes in the Gull Lakes chain near Brainerd are now ice-free.

This NASA MODIS 250-meter satellite shot from Thursday afternoon shows a mix of open water and remaining ice cover. You can also clearly see Mille Lacs and Leech lakes holding ice cover for now.

NASA MODIS 250-meter visible satellite image Thursday
NASA MODIS 250-meter visible satellite image Thursday
NASA via University of Wisconsin-Madison

Faster ice-out next week

Higher temperatures next week will speed up the pace of ice-out in northern Minnesota. I expect we’ll see ice out on many Iron Range and other northern Minnesota lakes next week.

Here’s a look at temperature forecasts for Duluth into next week.

Temperature forecast for Duluth
Temperature forecast for Duluth
NOAA via Weather Bell