Look out: Conditions in Ontario have spun up just right for waterspouts
Waterspout season is upon is on the Great Lakes and is going strong.
Warm surface temperatures on the Great Lakes, and a cool air mass over Ontario have created the perfect setup for waterspouts this week.
Temperatures finally began to drop in southern Ontario on Saturday as a trough stalled over the Great Lakes. Paired with unsettled weather, folks spending their weekend on Lake Erie's north shore were treated to a swirling surprise.
SEE ALSO: How troughs and ridges affect the weather in your neighbourhood
Three waterspouts were confirmed to have spun up on Saturday as the ingredients came together for the rising air off the lake to spin up into a watery funnel.
These ingredients will continue over the Great Lakes until Wednesday as the sharp difference in water and air temperatures continues to create instability in the atmosphere. The instability will allow the warm air at the water surface to continue rising.
Waterspouts are different from tornadoes, as they do not require a rotating storm to form. It is still dangerous to approach a waterspout, however, as the swirling winds can damage boats on the water.
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Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a waterspout watch for Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
"Wind speeds inside the spray ring of a waterspout are 45 knots or higher," ECCC said in the watch. "Vulnerable vessels are at risk of damage or capsizing."
In addition to the waterspout risk, southern Ontario and cottage country could also see some lake-effect rain showers thanks to the instability present in the chilled air. The rain would be beneficial for the region to help lower the wildfire danger and relieve the province of drought conditions.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on your weather in Ontario.
WATCH: Waterspouts captured over Lake Ontario
*Thumbnail image courtesy: @ChrisKnoxPhotog/X