12:05 p.m. CDT, September 24, 2011
WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE —

Multiple waterspouts formed over Lake Michigan off the shores of Milwaukee Saturday morning. The first waterspout was spotted around 10:14 a.m just east of McKinley Marina. Within minutes, several other waterspouts formed north and south of that location.

Waterspouts are known as "tornadoes over water." As the waters of Lake Michigan warm the air above the air rises into a shower or thunderstorm. If this updraft interacts with wind shear due to lake breezes, land breezes, or outflow from another thunderstorm, the wind shear can cause the updraft to rotate.

Waterspouts are typical this time of the year because Lake Michigan is warmer than the air temperature.

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Waterspouts are usually short lived and weak but they do have the capability of moving onto land.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued Marine Warnings which have since expired. More warnings are possible as conditions remain favorable for more waterspouts this afternoon.

Be alert and monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.