CLEVELAND (WJW) – Waterspouts were spotted over Lake Erie near Cleveland on Thursday.
The phenomenon, which is common in the area, was recorded by Jonathan Hammel, a physics student at Cleveland State University, as he drove to campus.
“I saw this on my way to CSU and thought to pull over and record it since I love waterspouts!” Hammel told FOX 8.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a waterspout is a “whirling column of air and water mist,” like a tornado but over water instead of land. They are typically weaker than tornadoes and can form quickly, lasting only a few minutes.
FOX 8 Meteorologist Jenn Harcher explained that waterspouts are particularly common on Lake Erie during late summer and early fall. These “fair-weather waterspouts” form when cooler air moves over the warmer surface of the lake. The temperature difference causes the warm air to rise, creating a rotating column that can form a waterspout.
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“Waterspouts over Lake Erie are usually weak and short-lived, but they can be a spectacular sight,” Harcher said.
Lake Erie holds the global record for producing the most waterspouts.
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