Why are dangerous storms common on the major East African lakes?

Sudden and dangerous storms are common on the major East African lakes because these large bodies of water tend to create or influence their own local climates.1

This effect is particularly pronounced on lakes like Lake Victoria, where the immense water mass significantly alters regional weather patterns. In some instances, such as at the northern end of Lake Nyasa, these conditions are further intensified by air convergence caused by the funnel-shaped relief of the surrounding landscape.1