Data and methods used to calculate weekly ice cover statistics for a 30-winter (1973-2002) base period are documented. Spatial distribution patterns of the maximum, minimum, first quartile, median, and third quartile ice cover statistics are presented and discussed within the context of lake bathymetry ranges. Mild and severe winters are identified for each Great Lake. These data are available free of charge on CD-ROM, DVD, and are also on the Internet at: http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/data/ice/atlas/weekly_stats/weeklystats.html. Anomaly ice charts and other data given here for the first time are available in this report.

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