Hamburg, N.Y. (WBEN) - It was just after 12:40 p.m. ET on Monday when a number of eyewitnesses spotted the first of multiple funnel clouds over Lake Erie that eventually moved ashore.
According to the International Centre for Waterspout Research (ICWR) in Canada, the first funnel cloud spotted formed over Lake Erie and reportedly moved ashore not far from the Athol Springs area. One ICWR waterspout observer says the funnel cloud did briefly touch the waters of Lake Erie, becoming a waterspout.
"We had a storm that developed out over Lake Erie, and then as it moved towards shore, a waterspout, or a funnel began spinning down and connected to the water. A lot of folks saw it," said meteorologist Andy Parker on Monday. "At that point, it did start to pull up from the ground. Once a waterspout loses contact with the lake, it generally pulls back up into the cloud. This one slowly pulled back up into the cloud, and it kind of hung over top of a portion of the waterfront near Camp Road, and even right over top of the Lowes. It really freaked people out as that funnel just kind of hung there, and then it pulled back up into the cloud and disappeared."
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Special Marine Warning for Lake Erie from Buffalo to Dunkirk, saying a shower producing waterspouts was located near Wanakah, moving Southwest at 10 knots.
Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Parker says if you happen to be out on the waters when a waterspout is spotted, seek safe harbor immediately.
"There's stories of small craft that have been spun around as a waterspout interacted with the boat," Parker said. "That's a whole 'nother story if you're out on the water, but as they come in, it's certainly a sight to see. A lot of folks in Hamburg got a show today."
Parker says conditions right now don't have to see any huge, towering thunderstorms to produce a waterspout, or even a funnel cloud over the lake.
"They're usually some low-top thunderstorms with some cool air that is crossing the, now, warmer waters of Lake Erie," he said. "Lake Erie temperatures are in the 70s. When you get the right recipe with low level shear that produces a little bit of swirl, some of those spin up into the funnels that people see along the shoreline."
Parker goes on to add this is the time of year when some would consider it the opening of waterspout season on the Great Lakes.
"The lake has now reached its near peak temperature, and we'll start to see some cooler air come in. It happens yearly from very late in the season, in the summertime, right on through, we call it, early winter. That's the period where we see the waterspouts," Parker said.
Later in the afternoon, more eyewitness accounts say addition funnel clouds and waterspouts were spotted over Lake Erie that eventually moved onshore in-and-around the Hamburg area.
Parker says Monday's conditions were favorable to see more funnel clouds and waterspouts develop, as a frontal system was sweeping through the area.
"As that continues to move through, we'll see the opportunity for these waterspouts through the afternoon and early evening hours tonight," he said.
The NWS says these types of funnel clouds are harmless, but on rare occasions can briefly touch down, producing wind gusts over 50 miles-per-hour.
It is advised that if anyone spots a funnel cloud, move indoors and report the sighting to the National Weather Service.
