CAN LAKE ONTARIO "FLIP"

Written by: Brian Neudorff

In a post yesterday someone asked this question, "can someone please tell me why the lake is freezing cold Sunday - when I finally went to Durand Beach to swim?
Another beach-goer said the lake had "flipped". Is that possible? I know it is for the finger lakes."

Yes this happens in the Great Lakes and oceans, we call this upwelling. Upwelling takes place when warmer water near the surface and shores gets pushed or moved away by the wind, this allow colder water from underneath to move towards the shore and upwards. So one day you can be at the beaching feeling nice water and then go the next day and the water can be 20 degrees colder. That warmer water will move back to the shore once the winds subside and change direction.