Meteotsunami strikes Lake Michigan shores

A meteotsunami struck the shores of Lake Michigan on June 25, causing water levels to rise by 2 feet due to air-pressure disturbances, as reported by The Weather Channel. Unlike seismic tsunamis, meteotsunamis are generated by weather events and can be equally dangerous, as seen in the footage of the incident. These occurrences, known as meteotsunamis, are common in the Great Lakes region, with around 100 such events happening annually, although this recent one was considered relatively small. Bob Dukesherer, a senior forecaster at the National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids, Michigan, described the meteotsunami as "on the small side," with water levels rising 1 to 2 feet in the south end of Lake Michigan and less than a foot in western Lower Michigan. While some plastic walkway sections were displaced, no major damage was reported. Meteotsunamis in the Great Lakes are typically smaller in scale compared to seismic tsunamis, with waves usually measuring 6 feet or less. In April 2018, a meteotsunami in Lake Michigan caused an 8-foot water level change, resulting in significant damage in Michigan cities like Ludington and Manistee. Dukesherer highlighted the challenge of identifying meteotsunamis, as their characteristics closely resemble seismic tsunamis and can be mistaken for wind-driven storm surges or seiches. The unpredictability of these events makes it difficult to issue timely warnings to the public, emphasizing the need for improved detection methods to mitigate potential risks associated with meteotsunamis in the future.