Lake wave height

[chrisbray]

Today in my NWS area forecast in the marine section I saw this

UNSEASONABLE STRONG NELY WINDS AND HIGH WAVES CONTINUE OVER LAKE
MICHIGAN THIS MORNING IN THE WAKE OF AN EXITING COLD FRONT. THE
SURGE OF UNSEASONABLE COOL AIR OVER RELATIVELY WARM WATERS CREATED
A VERY UNSTABLE LAYER NEAR THE WATER SURFACE WHICH HELP MAGNIFY
WAVE HEIGHTS.

I had not heard of this before, what exactly does this do to magnify wave heights?

 

[rdale]

A cold lake / warm air combination creates an inversion which results in smooth flow and small waves. Warm lake / cold air instability increases the friction which increases the wave heights.

 

[chrisbray]

Good to know. Thanks!