RARE JULY WATERSPOUT ON LAKE ST CLAIR

Some pretty incredible photos were taken over Lake St. Clair this morning. An unusually cold air mass aloft over relatively warmer waters cause a rare July waterspout on Lake St. Clair. Temps actually started the day at midnight in the upper 60's but quickly dropped into the mid 50's by late morning. Temps at noon remained in the mid 50s which is some 25 degrees below normal for this time of year. 7-3-14

Great Lakes' Cold Water Temperatures Affect Summer Events

It may sound strange, but some people are changing or even canceling their summer plans because of the lingering effects from this past harsh winter.

Lake Superior and Lake Michigan are much colder than average, thanks to the record ice coverage this past winter. In fact, Lake Michigan is running about 10 to 12 degrees below average this time of year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The average surface water temperature for Lake Michigan is currently about 54 degrees, although temperatures have climbed into the 60s in parts of southern Lake Michigan.

Fog in Chicago

One of the consequences of the colder water temperatures is frequent fog. When the warm and moist air meets the cold lake, fog and low clouds often form. Fog was reported in Milwaukee every day from June 16-28. A foggy June has also been reported from Muskegon, Michigan, to Chicago northward to Green Bay and in Duluth, Minnesota.

In Wisconsin, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels were unable to fly the weekend of June 21-22 at the Milwaukee Air & Water Show due to fog. Poor visibility created unsafe flying conditions, according to the event's Facebook page.

The reduced visibility also forced organizers at Summerfest in Milwaukee to postpone the Big Bang fireworks until July 1 due to safety concerns. The fireworks display, originally scheduled for June 24, would have also been difficult for spectators to enjoy with the dense fog.

Heavy fog also suspended a baseball game in Kenosha, and a game in Chicago between the Cubs and Washington Nationals was almost delayed.

On days when fog reduces visibility, it's important for boaters and swimmers to exercise caution, and be wary of the length of time they're exposed to cold water.

Great Lakes Considered Ice Free As of June 8th

It was a seriously cold and icy winter on the Great Lakes, but as of June 8th they're finally ice free at least statistically. A 6/08/14 map from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory shows 0.1 percent ice cover.