Prime waterspout conditions over Lake Michigan Wednesday

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- It's been an active morning over Lake Michigan Wednesday, with several waterspouts spotted! Here's Austin Villa's view of it from Milwaukee.

Ron also captured a fantastic view of one from Warnimont Golf Course in Cudahy. 

Prime waterspout conditions are present over Lake Michigan today. Lake Michigan is very warm right now with water temperatures around 69°. There is a cooler Canadian airmass flowing over the warmer lake waters, which creates life. We also have an upper-level low pressure system sitting over the lake along with a leftover boundary. There is also increased humidity over the lake. All of these factors together make for perfect conditions for waterspouts to form.

Waterspout activity usually peaks in the morning and is less favorable in the afternoon, so our waterspout potential will be lower for the rest of today, but not zero! Simply stated, waterspouts are tornadoes over the water. They're usually not as strong as a tornado that forms over land, but it can still be dangerous to boaters and cause damage if it comes onto land. If it moves onshore, it's then classified as a tornado. Any showers over the lake Wednesday will be capable of producing waterspouts.

The aforementioned cooler airmass and partly sunny skies will hold temps in the 60s for highs today, but temps will warm back into the 70s to end the week.

Download the CBS 58 Ready Weather App to see the full 7-day forecast.