Experts give updated Lake Erie harmful algal bloom outlook [Video]

TOLEDO, Ohio — The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) announced an updated, mid-season harmful algal bloom outlook during a webinar and press conference Thursday morning. 

During the conferences, NCCOS said the harmful algal bloom severity is forecasted to be a 5, with a likely range of 4.5 and 6. This is slightly less severe than the initial forecast of 4.5 – 7.5. The bloom will likely be quite similar to the 2023 bloom, which was measured at a severity of 5.3, the agency said. 

“Our best estimate is we don’t expect a whole lot of additional new trends but there’s this qualifier of what we are calling a low probability of a high-risk event,” said Rick Stumpf, NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. 

Speakers at the press conference, which was held by the Ohio …