Extreme winds have caused Lake Erie to drain at one end and flood parts of Buffalo, New York at the other, in what meteorologists describe as a seiche.
On Monday, winds from the southwest towards Buffalo were 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 75 mph.
The wind's direction and strength caused a seiche, which occurs when wind pressure pushes water in one direction, exposing the lakebed on one side and flooding the other.
About 12.30 pm on Monday, Lake Erie rose more than six feet in Buffalo from 4.30 am. At the other end of the lake, in Toledo, Ohio, levels were down around 13 feet.
The lake spans multiple states, including New York and Ohio, and covers 9,910 square miles.
The region, including New York and New England, has been hit by a significant snowstorm as extreme weather continues over the winter.
The wind-driven seiche on Lake Erie at 8AM. There is nearly an 8 ft. difference now between the water level at Buffalo and Toledo, along the 225 mile stretch of Lake Erie. @weatherchannel pic.twitter.com/q9MWSUKsVh
— Tom Niziol (@TomNiziol) December 29, 2025
Fox8 meteorologist Scott Sabol said the weather was largely due to strong winds and atmospheric pressure.
“It’s like sloshing the water in your bathtub,” he said.
“The water will go from the west of the lake to the east part of the lake and will drastically change the height of the lake over a short period of time.
“The levels then return to normal after the winds die down.”
Vermont and New York State officials warned residents to drive safely after thick sheets of ice and snow covered the Northeast on Monday, The New York Times reported.
National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Niziol posted on X that the wind-driven seiche was causing significant differences in the lake’s water levels.
“There is nearly an 8-foot difference now between the water level at Buffalo and Toledo, along the 225-mile stretch of Lake Erie,” Niziol posted.
In all my years living up here in Buffalo, I don't think I've ever seen it this bad along the Lakeshore. We've had three hours of 80+ mph gusts here and with the temperature dropping, very heavy freezing spray is accumulating on all of the trees. Lots of damage. pic.twitter.com/pNaZW0HH1d
— Tom Niziol (@TomNiziol) December 29, 2025
The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for Monday and Tuesday, warning that winds could down trees and power lines. It also issued a lakeshore flood warning due to extreme winds.
Niziol posted footage of wind-driven waves pushing lake water onto the shoreline as two people walk, barely able to move forward.
“In all my years living up here in Buffalo, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this bad along the Lakeshore,” he posted.
“We’ve had three hours of 80+ mph gusts here and with the temperature dropping, very heavy freezing spray is accumulating on all of the trees. Lots of damage.”
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