Lake Balaton freezes for the first time in nine years
Lake Balaton is Central Europe’s largest freshwater lake and a key ecological and economic asset in Hungary.
Following several days of prolonged freezing temperatures, the lake surface has frozen for the first time in nine years.
This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, acquired on 18 January 2026, shows parts of Lake Balaton’s north-eastern shoreline, near the towns of Balatonfőkajár and Siófok. Frozen lake surfaces appear in pale turquoise and whitish tones, which contrast with the bright white, snow-covered land. The rest of the lake was covered by clouds.
Copernicus Sentinel-2 data supports the monitoring of ice cover, contributing to climate research, water management, and the assessment of winter conditions affecting ecosystems and human activities.
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