Let's explore the prevalence of waterspouts in the Great Lakes. While this wasn't over a Great Lake, it's a perfect example of a tornadic waterspout. The Great Lakes are known for their unique impact on the weather, causing phenomena such as lake-effect snow during the winter and cooler temperatures as wind blows over the lakes. While waterspouts are not exclusive to the Great Lakes, NOAA reports that they occur far more frequently during the end of summer, between August and the end of October, when the water temperatures are warm but the air temperatures are dropping. While these unique waterspouts and tornadoes are beautiful to look at, they should still be taken seriously.