Scientists discover that meteotsunamis can cause rip currents

Drownings during a tragic day on Lake Michigan in 2003 came under scrutiny recently by Wisconsin Sea Grant scientists who are studying a storm-induced wave called a meteotsunami. Their results were published in “Scientific Reports.” The article details findings that a storm formed a moderate-height meteotsunami, which is what went on to cause the unexpected rip currents. Although these conditions may not be rare, this is the first time researchers have verified a meteotsunami-generated rip current.