New world record set, 88 waterspouts over the Great Lakes

Digital WritersThe Weather Network
Digital Writers

From August 16 - 19th, 88 waterspouts were spotted over the Great Lakes, breaking a world record.

From August 16 - 19th, 88 waterspouts hit Lakes Michigan, Erie, and Ontario, making it the densest waterspout occurrence over the Great Lakes, according to the International Centre for Waterspout Research.

There was an indication that this new world record could occur as the waterspout season started off aggressively earlier this month (First waterspout outbreak of 2020 hits the Great Lakes).

Check out why so many waterspouts appeared this season and some of the incredible coverage below.

WHAT'S WITH ALL THE WATERSPOUTS?

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"Warmer-than-normal lake temperatures due to a very hot July, combined with cool temperatures and light winds are the perfect atmospheric conditions for many waterspouts to form," explains Weather Network meteorologist Melinda Singh.

Waterspouts are the most common during late summer early fall, when the lake temperatures are still relatively warm, meaning the recent outbreak is happening right on schedule.

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IN PHOTOS: WATERSPOUTS HIT THE GREAT LAKES

VIDEO: HERE'S WHY WATERSPOUTS FORM OVER THE GREAT LAKES

With files from Cheryl Santa-Maria