Waterspout outbreak over western Lake Erie
At least 23 waterspouts were reported over western Lake Erie on September 7, 2025, with an additional four observed in surrounding areas, for a total of 27.
The observations came from multiple locations and were confirmed by meteorological observers and monitoring networks, including the International Centre for Waterspout Research (ICWR).
The setup involved cold air aloft moving over the seasonally warm surface waters of the lakes, combined with low cloud bases and light wind shear. This created ideal conditions for the development of non-tornadic, fair-weather waterspouts, short-lived but well-defined vortices forming under cumulus-type clouds in stable synoptic environments.
The September 7 outbreak follows a major waterspout event recorded between August 24 and 28, 2025, during which ICWR confirmed 97 waterspouts across all five Great Lakes. That outbreak included 49 over Lake Erie, 26 over Lake Ontario, 14 over Lake Huron, 7 over Lake Michigan, and one in Georgian Bay.
Additionally, at least six waterspouts were observed on August 25 over Lake Ontario, and more than 25 were reported between August 23 and 24 as part of the same extended system, setting the stage for continued favorable conditions heading into September.
The Great Lakes experience their peak waterspout season from late August through October, with September typically being the most active month. During this period, lake surface temperatures remain high while early autumn introduces cooler, unstable air masses aloft. The temperature contrast promotes vertical instability, one of the key ingredients for waterspout development, particularly for non-tornadic or “fair-weather” types.
Lake Erie, and especially its western basin, is among the most prolific areas for waterspout formation in the region. Its relatively shallow depth allows it to warm quickly during summer, making it especially prone to strong lake–atmosphere thermal gradients.
Such conditions combined with converging surface winds and low shear frequently give rise to clusters of waterspouts, often visible from shoreline communities and across open water.
Although typically weaker than tornadoes, waterspouts may present hazards to marine traffic and low-flying aircraft.
Featured image: Waterspout over Western Lake Erie, off of Lorain, Ohio on September 7, 2025. Credit: ICWR/Ray Ray Ortiz
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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