Yellowstone Lake, the largest high-elevation lake in North America, has been defying the effects of climate change by maintaining its ice cover despite rising temperatures. This unexpected discovery has intrigued scientists, who are now studying the factors that contribute to the lake’s resilience.
Located in Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Lake typically freezes over in late December or early January and begins to thaw at the end of spring. Despite the increase in temperatures, the lake’s ice cover has remained relatively stable, with no drastic changes observed since 1931.
Resilience of Yellowstone Lake’s Ice Cover
Researchers at the University of Wyoming (UW) analyzed ice coverage data and compared it with climate records. They found that the ice phenology of Yellowstone Lake has been surprisingly resistant to climate change, with no significant changes despite a temperature increase of 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit since 1950 and an additional 2.5 degrees at the high elevation of the lake between 1980 and 2018.