The recent cold wave that has descended upon much of the United States has now given rise to the greatest ice coverage not seen since February 2022.
Last week's arctic temperatures reached levels not seen in over three years across much of the country.
The bitter air with origins from northern Russia was responsible for a historic snowstorm in the deep south last week, including as many as 10 inches in parts of the Florida panhandle.
And if Florida is getting snow, the Great Lakes region has its own issues. As of Monday, the Great Lakes have a combined ice cover at over 20%.
Lake Erie reported an 80% ice cover according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, forcing the United States Coast Guard to run ice cutters between the Canada/U.S. shipping lanes.
The recent accumulation of ice has caught maritime freighters by surprise.
A Canadian-owned freighter called "The Manitoulin" with 17 people aboard needed help being freed from the ice after it became stuck last Friday after unloading a shipment of wheat in Buffalo. It was returning to Canada when it became stuck.
The freighter was finally freed from the ice over the weekend allowing the 663-foot ship to return home.
U.S Coast Guard ships and helicopters will continue to monitor Lake Erie in case additional ships become stuck in the icy conditions.
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