article_snippet: Significant portions of the lakes typically froze over decades ago, Leshkevich said, but the frequency of severe winters has declined since the late 1990s. '
article_snippet: Two almost record-setting years back to back would be very unusual,' Leshkevich said.
article_snippet: One likely explanation for the rapid buildup this month is that 2014's freeze lasted so long
article_snippet: So we started this season with below-water temperatures to begin with.'