The first day of fall Wednesday definitely felt like it, with temperatures cooler than they’ve been in months, high winds, scattered showers and churning waves beating Lake Michigan’s shoreline.

       Waves were predicted to reach 10 to 14 feet along the Chicago lakefront, and possibly as high as 16 feet Wednesday night, said Kevin Birk, a meteorologist with the weather service.

       “We have winds expected on the north, northeast up to 45 miles an hour and that’s what’s really going to be kicking up these big waves,” Birk said.

       Waterspouts were observed over the lake, according to Zachary Yack of the weather service. One was captured off Evanston by a Twitter user.

       Cooler air temperatures over the warmer waters of the lake are the formula for waterspouts, said Mike Bardou, a meteorologist with the weather service.

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       “It’s not every day that the lake is warmer than the air that we get these things [waterspouts],” Bardou said.

       “With the showers, sometimes we get enough upper moving air and a little bit of a spin to get the waterspouts...over the waters,” Bardou said.

       Scattered showers were expected to continue throughout the afternoon with temperatures just cresting 60 degrees.

       “If you’re in the Chicago area, you’re probably going to be looking at highs today around 60, maybe just slightly above that,” Birk said. “It’ll certainly feel like fall with the official start of fall here.”

       Thursday should continue cloudy with a few morning showers before temperatures warm up to the high 70s with sunny skies on Friday, Birk said. Temperatures are expected to dip a bit Saturday but should still reach the 70s.

       For additional weather information, check the Tribune’s weather page.

       tturner@chicagotribune.com

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