A waterspout seen from Okanagan Beach in Penticton.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Courtney Robinson
January 12, 2024 - 4:43 PM
South Okanagan residents spotted spouts of water vapour spiralling into the air over Okanagan Lake today thanks to the deep freeze.
It was the first time Penticton resident Courtney Robinson saw the steaming funnels and she took a photo of them early in the morning on Okanagan Beach.
"I was so excited to see something so cool on the lake," she said. "I was in awe and super excited so I braved the cold to get the shot."
The meteorological marvels are known as steam devils. They form on cold days when the lake is much warmer than the air, according to a Global Okanagan report. The cold air close to the lake gets warmed up by the water and rapidly rises, starts rotating and lifting into the sky similar to a dust devil.
Robinson wasn't the only one enjoying the sight as photographers across the valley took photos and videos of the rare winter phenomenon.
If you have photos of the steam devils to share to the collection, send them to news@infonews.ca.
Waterspouts seen from Sun Oka beach in Summerland.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Jon Broadbent
The Okanagan Lake appears to be steaming near Summerland.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Ingrid Ann
Waterspout over Okanagan Lake, Penticton.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sarah Penelope
Misty Okanagan Lake seen from the Summerland Trout Hatchery.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Bradley Dearden
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