A waterspout off South Haven, Michigan photographed at 1:15 pm Thursday Chicago time
Mariel Knot has forwarded us these truly spectacular photos she and her sister Anneke
and brother David took of a waterspout off South Haven, Michigan early Thursday
afternoon. Mariel tells us that her family is from Flossmoor and that they have been
vacationing in South Haven. I'm sure any kind of encounter with a waterspout was the
last thing on Mariel and her family's mind as the looked out over the lake and were
greeted by this sight! These photos were taken at 11:15 pm Chicago time.
The waterspout picture here was spawned by a cluster of showers and thunderstorms
which traveled south over the east end of Lake Michigan during the night and during
morning hours. The destabilizing effect of cool air aloft led to the thunderstorm
development. The Grand Rapids National Weather Service Office issued a special marine
warning advising mariners of the danger posed by the waterspout and warning of the
potential of others. Many thanks Mariel, her brother David and sister Anneke for
sharing these photos with us! They are terrific!
Tom Skilling
Photos courtesy of Mariel, Anneke and David Knot