Ice Needles, Shoves, Surges Terrorize Great Lakes

Whatever you call them -- "Ice Needling," "Ice Surges," or "Ice Shoves," or "Ice Heaves" -- a phenomenon that I first blogged about in 2009 is back -- with a vengeance! Due to the late-season cold temperatures, an unusual amount of lake ice has crept inland (typically because of high winds), crushing houses on shore in both the United States and Canada. Here are some of the headlines and videos:

- Sunday, May 12: Mille Lacs Lake, Minn.: "Minnesota Ice Sheet Creeps Ashore"

Ice has been crushing houses on the shores of the lakes in Minnesota, Michigan and Canada recently. “The ice moves slowly, like something out of a Sci-Fi movie,” AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Mark Mancuso said. Watch this video. Officials say this ice surge covers 10 miles of shoreline, reaching 30 feet high in some places. WCCO has some incredible photos.

Ginger Zee also visited Minne Lacs this morning:

The following video was captured on Saturday, May 11, on the same lake:

- Sunday, May 12: Manitoba, Canada:Ice walls prompt massive cleanup in Manitoba

May 9, 2013: Alberta Beach, AB, Canada: "Photos: Winds Force Destructive Ice From Lake Into Homes"

May 1: Codette Reservoir, SK, Canada: Ice Surge: "Saskatchewan Water Security Agency"

This one was caused by a surge of water caused by the melting of the ice itself - not high winds.

April 29: Medicine Lake, Minn.: "Ice pushed against shore on Medicine Lake"

This video shows what's referred to as "Ice Chandeliering," where the ice forms needles that creep ashore. A copy of this video was trending on Know Your Meme and YouTube.

Is this a sign of Global Warming -- or Cooling? Although global temperatures are going down, it's hard to pin one weather event on Climate Change. I do believe that we're seeing more of these videos this spring because of the unusually long winter. In general, the number of videos of any weather phenomenon continues to increase as population and access to cell phones increases. These phenomenons are rare, but they are not without precedent.

Report a Typo