Weather Service Alerts Public To Notable Chance Of Waterspouts On Lake Superior

The Duluth office of the National Weather Service put out an alert on their social media Thursday morning, letting the public know that conditions will be favorable for waterspouts on Lake Superior on Friday.

In their post, they explained that there is a 10-20% chance of seeing waterspouts form over portions of Western Lake Superior on Friday, which includes areas along the Minnesota North Shore and Wisconsin South Shore.

While 10-20% might seem like "low odds", in the weather world, those are actually pretty significant percentages when it comes to things like this.

Why are they forecasting waterspouts for Friday? Will it be stormy?

If you've looked at the forecast for the area, it will be cool and breezy with a chance of some rain, but no severe weather is in the forecast. That said, you might wonder why there is a forecast for waterspouts.

WATCH: Rare waterspout on popular Northern Minnesota lake

As the Duluth NWS office explains, these are "fair-weather waterspouts", which are different than tornadic waterspouts.

Tornadic waterspouts are associated with severe weather, while "fair-weather waterspouts" develop during non-severe weather conditions. The combination of cool and breezy conditions will play a big role in the potential development of these waterspouts we could see on Friday.

If they're "fair-weather", could these waterspouts be dangerous?

While not as aggressive as tornadic waterspouts that come as a part of a severe storm, these "fair-weather" waterspouts could still pose a risk that the National Weather Service is cautioning people about.

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As they explain, this type of waterspout can lead to "locally hazardous seas", which can easily overturn boats and cause other issues for people or watercraft nearby. The NWS says if you encounter a waterspout, the best way to avoid one is to move at a 90-degree angle to its apparent movement.

In addition, the NWS advises taking shelter if a waterspout appears to be moving toward land.

WATCH: Rare winter waterspouts on Lake Superior north of Duluth

While the name "fair-weather' makes these phenomena seem harmless, it is important to remember they can still pack a punch when it comes to wind that can cause damage or injury.

The good news is that most fair-weather waterspouts tend to be shorter-lived and less severe than those associated with storms. They are also a relatively rare phenomenon that can be neat to see (from a safe distance).

The NWS is asking to keep an eye out for any waterspouts you might see, and try to capture any photos or videos you might be able to of the waterspouts and share it with them.