Waterspouts spotted over Lake Erie, Cedar Point

CLEVELAND (WJW) – As waterspouts are being spotted in the waters of Lake Erie, FOX 8 meteorologists are warning that although they are amazing to look at, they are dangerous.

One waterspout was spotted churning above Lake Erie near Cedar Point on Thursday at about 8:30 a.m. by Joe Burkhardt, the National Weather Service reported.

“While they’re cool to look at, they are in fact dangerous to watercrafts,” FOX 8 meteorologist Alexis Walters said. “People should avoid being on the water during a time when waterspouts become likely.”

According to Walters, waterspouts typically occur when cooler air comes over the lake. They also usually last just a few minutes.

Jonathan Souders also took a few photos and video with his drone near Lakeside, Marblehead. Check them out:

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , a waterspout is a “whirling column of air and water mist.”

“Waterspout formation typically occurs when cold air moves across the Great Lakes and results in large temperature differences between the warm water and the overriding cold air,” explains the National Weather Service . “They tend to last from about 2 to 20 minutes and move along at speeds of 10 to 15 knots.”

According to FOX 8 meteorologist Dontaé Jones , “When we get low-pressure systems that bring cold fronts, it helps with the contrast of Lake Erie temperatures, and this contrast in temperatures between the lake, plus the bottom and upper parts of the atmosphere [lead to waterspouts].”

Waterspouts are so common over Lake Erie that it holds the global record for producing waterspouts. You can read more about that by clicking here .

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