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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Summer season weather phenomena: waterspouts and waterspout safety
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – As we move into the summer months, we enter waterspout season. Waterspouts can be simply described as tornadoes that form over water. They fall into two main categories: fair-weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts. Tornadic Waterspouts Tornadic waterspouts are essentially tornadoes that occur over water. They either form directly over the water or begin as land-based tornadoes that move offshore. Like their land counterparts, tornadic waterspouts are associated with severe thunderstorms and are often accompanied by heavy rain, lightning, strong winds and turbulent conditions. Fair Weather Waterspouts Fair-weather waterspouts form during calm, quiet conditions—typically in the summer months, especially morning through early afternoon. Unlike tornadic waterspouts, these develop from the surface of the water upward, often triggered by the interaction between land and sea breezes, which creates the necessary upward motion. Fair-weather waterspouts tend to remain nearly stationary, but if one moves onshore, a tornado warning may be issued. While generally less dangerous than tornadic waterspouts, they can still be hazardous, appearing suddenly on otherwise calm weather days. There are five stages of fair weather waterspouts: Dark Spot: A lighter colored disk shape appears over the water with a darker colored disk shape around it. Spiral Pattern: A pattern of light and dark colored bands spiraling out of the dark spot can be seen. Spray Ring: A dense swirling ring of sea spray forms around the dark spot Mature Vortex: The waterspout forms from water to cloud. This vortex can rise to a height of several hundred feet or more. Decay: The vortex dissipates as the warm air flow weakens. How Waterspouts are Forecasted Meteorologists assess factors like water temperature, air temperature, moisture and wind speed to determine the likelihood of waterspout formation. Fair-weather waterspouts typically develop when water temperatures are warm, the air above is cool and moist and winds are light. This creates ideal conditions for instability and upward motion. In contrast, tornadic waterspouts occur during severe weather events, often forming within strong thunderstorms. When a waterspout is detected, the National Weather Service issues a Special Marine Warning to alert those on or near the water. If a waterspout is expected to move onshore, a Tornado Warning is issued for the affected land area. Safety Since fair-weather waterspouts can occur at any time during the summer, keeping an eye on the sky is a good safety habit. They are often associated with cumulus clouds, especially those with a dark, flat base. Tornadic waterspouts, on the other hand, occur during severe weather events. If you spot a waterspout, never head toward it. Treat it like a tornado: move away at a 90-degree angle from its path. Waterspouts can be unpredictable and dangerous, even on otherwise calm days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
See it: Large waterspout spotted roaring ashore along Florida coast
PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. – A video recorded in Florida on Saturday shows the moment a waterspout moved off the Gulf and onto the beach as severe weather roared across the region. A slow-moving storm system has been relentlessly slamming Florida's Gulf Coast, bringing flooding rain and powerful thunderstorms to areas that desperately need the precipitation to put a dent in the state's ongoing drought, which is the worst since 2012. How To Watch Fox Weather The National Weather Service office in Mobile, Alabama, had issued a Special Marine Warning at the time for the waters off Pensacola Beach, warning boaters of high winds and the possibility of waterspouts in the region. Just before 6:30 a.m. CT, cameras located at the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier captured the moment the waterspout began to spin into the frame and over the warm waters of the Gulf before moving onto the beach and into the community. Download The Free Fox Weather App Another waterspout moved onshore in Destin on Saturday morning, turning into a tornado once it reached land. According to the City of Destin, property damage was reported when it crossed Highway 98. No injuries have been article source: See it: Large waterspout spotted roaring ashore along Florida coast
