The National Weather Service is calling for rough conditions on Lake Erie starting Oct. 22.
The National Weather Service office in Cleveland, which handles the Erie forecast, projects that the lake could see significant wave height, low water, high winds and a gale warning.
Here’s more on what the National Weather Service is predicting for Lake Erie conditions during this rainy weather.
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Significant wave height on Lake Erie
The average wave height this week will reach one third of the wave spectrum while the occasional wave height averages one tenth of the wave spectrum according to the National Weather Service. Later during the night of Oct. 22, the waves could reach anywhere between 3 to 9 feet.
On Oct. 23, the high waves could continue and reach up to 5 feet from wind speeds reaching up to 34.5 miles per hour.
On Oct. 24, wind speeds are predicted to reach up to 29 miles per hour. The waves could reach anywhere from 1 to 5 feet.
On Oct. 25, wind speeds will fall to 17 miles per hour which will bring waves down to 2 feet or less.
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Low water advisory
There may be high waves this week, but the National Weather Service has also put a low water advisory in effect until Oct. 22 at 11 p.m.
A low water advisory means that the National Weather Service is seeing abnormally low water levels for the lake that are below average levels.
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Erie for the month of October is averaging between 174.06 feet to 174.20 feet for water depth.
Chance of water spouts
On Oct. 22, the west winds are predicted to reach 34.5 miles per hour, which could mean a chance of waterspouts.
The National Weather Service says that waterspouts typically form in Lake Erie when cold air moves across the lake which results in a large temperature difference between the warm water and cold air.
These spouts often last from about 2-20 minutes and move at a speed of 10 to 15 knots, or 11.5 to just over 17 miles per hour.
A gale warning is in effect. What’s a gale warning?
With the significant water conditions, the National Weather Service has issued a gale warning.
A gale warning is issued when winds are predicted to sustain a speed from 39 to 55 miles per hour or have frequent gusts for a duration of two or more hours between 39 to 55 miles per hour.
This warning is expected to last through the night of Oct. 22.
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Stay up to date on Erie-area weather
Erie residents are encouraged to keep up to date with the current forecast as it could change at any given notice.
Get the latest AccuWeather forecast details and radar images for your ZIP code at goerie.com/weather. Download the GoErie app for iOS or Android for mobile-friendly forecasts. Tour Erie-area conditions by webcams.
Nicholas Sorensen can be contacted at Nsorensen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Lake Erie to see rough conditions with high winds, possible spouts