Editing Lake Erie (section)

====Long-term weather patterns====
According to one estimate, {{convert|34|to|36|inch}} of water evaporate each year from the surface of the lake,<ref name="StateofOhio"/> which allows for rainfall and other precipitation in surrounding areas. Reports are conflicting about the overall effect of [[global warming]] on the Great Lakes region, including Lake Erie. One account suggests that climate change is causing greater [[evaporation]] of lake water, leading to warmer temperatures, as well as thinner or nonexistent ice in winter, which is fueling concerns that "Erie appears to be shrinking" and is the most likely candidate among the five Great Lakes to "turn into a festering mud puddle."<ref name=twsX312a/> In 2010, the ''[[Windsor Star]]'' reported that the lake experienced record-breaking water temperatures, reaching {{convert|81|°F|°C|abbr=on}} in mid-August and compared the lake to a "bath tub".<ref name=twsZ27 />