Overview

• The International Centre for Waterspout Research confirmed at least 25 waterspouts over the Great Lakes on Sunday, August 24, with additional weekend reports under review.
• Forecasters from ICWR and the National Weather Service expect favorable conditions for more waterspouts through Tuesday, August 26, with some outlooks suggesting the risk could linger into Wednesday.
• Videos and photos showed nearshore waterspouts on Lakes Michigan and Erie as sightings spread widely across the region.
• The setup features unstable air as colder air aloft passes over relatively warm lake surfaces with light wind shear, a pattern common in the late-summer-to-fall transition.
• Officials advise moving at a right angle away from any visible waterspout and seeking the nearest harbor if on a boat, noting that even typically weak, short-lived fair‑weather spouts can be dangerous on the water.