Burlington, Vermont – New satellite and aerial data show that Lake Champlain has not yet completely frozen, but conditions are rapidly changing as anomalously cold Arctic air is expected to move into the region this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Burlington, recent European Space Agency Sentinel satellite imagery and updated aerial observations confirm that portions of Lake Champlain remain open water. However, forecasters say there is a high likelihood the lake freezes over during the weekend as extreme cold settles across northern New York and Vermont.
The incoming Arctic air mass is expected to bring dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills, creating favorable conditions for rapid ice growth. This freeze process can occur unevenly, resulting in variable ice thickness across the lake, especially near shorelines, bays, and narrows.
Officials caution that newly forming ice may appear solid but can remain unsafe and unstable, particularly during the early stages of freeze-over. Areas near US-2 along the Champlain Islands, VT-127 near Colchester, I-89 near Burlington, and US-9 along the New York shoreline are commonly accessed and may see increased foot traffic during cold spells.
The National Weather Service emphasizes that no ice should be considered safe without verified thickness measurements. Changing winds, currents, and lingering open-water areas can significantly weaken ice even during prolonged cold periods.
The expected freeze coincides with a period of extreme cold wind chills, which could reach dangerous levels Saturday night into Sunday, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia for anyone venturing onto the lake or exposed shorelines.
This situation may impact ice anglers, recreational users, shoreline residents, and emergency responders, especially if lake access increases during the cold snap.
Residents and visitors are urged to monitor updated forecasts, follow guidance from local authorities, and exercise extreme caution near Lake Champlain as freezing conditions rapidly evolve through the weekend.
