Beachgoers' eyes were not deceiving them Saturday when they saw what appeared to be a tornado over the water of Lake Erie near Turkey Point.
Western University’s Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) has confirmed that it was in fact a waterspout that appeared over Lake Erie around 4 p.m. Investigators received many eyewitness reports with photos and video of the tornadic activity. Those images helped investigators to make the confirmation.
A waterspout is a type of tornado that appears over water. It is usually less destructive than a land tornado as there tends to be less in its path to destroy.
The one spotted near Turkey Point was visible over a wide area. Its start time and location were estimated based on witness reports and coordination with the International Centre for Waterspout Research, according to NTP investigators.
No damage was reported.
The waterspout has been rated an EF0-Default. An EF0 is the lowest rating on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, which goes up to EF5.
The Northern Tornadoes Project investigates suspected tornadoes throughout Canada. Funnel clouds and suspected tornado sightings can be reported to NTP for investigation through the organization's website or on X, formally Twitter, by using the tag @NTP_Reports.