ontario waterspouts

Dozens of waterspouts spotted in Ontario this week

Ontario residents living near the Great Lakes have gotten quite a show this week, as weather conditions have been ideal for the creation of waterspouts for multiple days in a row.

According to The Weather Network, at least 29 waterspouts were confirmed in Ontario on Wednesday alone, and residents have been taking to social media to share photos and videos of the breathtaking phenomenon.

Waterspouts often occur when there is a combination of cold air aloft and warm lake water, and the result, according to National Geographic, is basically "a column of cloud-filled wind rotating over a body of water."

Thunderstorms in Southern Ontario this week also aided in the creation of waterspouts, and small hail was reported throughout the region over the past couple days as well.

"More waterspouts are also possible on lakes Ontario and Erie, as the cold air aloft will hang over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes and a lingering trough will provide instability," reads a blog post published by The Weather Network Thursday. 

Some residents, meanwhile, reported spotting the waterspouts north of Vineland over Lake Ontario this week. 

Others managed to catch a glimpse near Prince Edward County. 

The weather phenomenon was also spotted in Lincoln.

One storm chaser and photographer even reported seeing a total of 10 waterspouts from Long Point looking south-east. 

And with today's conditions being ideal for the creation of even more waterspouts, be sure to keep an eye out for new spectacular photos and videos that are sure to surface on social media soon enough.

Lead photo by

Manfred Frenkel


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Toronto has one of the highest unemployment rates among major cities in Canada

The average hourly wage for Canadian employees is now almost $35

This Ontario city is trying to lure residents from Toronto with its cheap cost of living

This ultra-poisonous Ontario plant looks delicious but can easily kill you

Here's why there's an abandoned space-age bunker below a Toronto highway

People in Toronto wondering about mysterious black boxes spotted around the city

Video shows arsonist casually pouring gas on car and torching it in Richmond Hill

Toronto water taxi options for when you want to get to the Island and back