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{{Short description|Intense columnar vortex over a body of water}} {{Short description|Vortex or tornado occurring over a body of water}}
{{for multi|a pipe carrying water from a roof|Downspout|regrowth on trees|Water sprout|the performance act of regurgitating fluids|Water spouting}} {{For multi|a pipe carrying water from a roof|Downspout|regrowth on trees|Water sprout|the performance act of regurgitating fluids|Water spouting}}
{{pp-pc1}} {{Good article}}
{{Pp-pc1}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
]. The two flares with smoke trails near the bottom of the photograph are for indicating wind direction and general speed.]] ] in 1969. Two flares with smoke trails (near base of photograph) have been discharged to indicate wind direction and general speed.]]
{{Weather}} {{Weather}}
A '''waterspout''' is an intense columnar ] (usually appearing as a ]) that occurs over a ].<ref name=Burt>{{Cite book |title=Extreme weather : a guide & record book |last=Burt |first=Christopher |date=2004 |publisher=W.W. Norton |others=Cartography by Stroud, Mark. |isbn=978-0393326581 |edition=1st |location=New York |oclc=55671731 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/extremeweathergu00burt_0 }}</ref> Some are connected to a ], some to a ] and some to a ].<ref name=Glossary>{{cite web |url= http://www.geographic.org/climate/w.html#waterspout |title=Waterspout definition |work=A Comprehensive Glossary of Weather |publisher=Geographic.org |access-date=2014-07-10}}</ref> In the common form, it is a non-] ] over water having a five-part life cycle: formation of a dark spot on the water surface, spiral pattern on the water surface, formation of a spray ring, development of the visible ], and ultimately, decay.<ref name=Glossary/><ref> (] ])</ref><ref> by Jessica Hamilton, '']'', 17 July 2016</ref>


A '''waterspout''' is a rotating column of air that occurs over a ], usually appearing as a ] in contact with the water and a ] cloud.<ref name=Burt>{{Cite book |title=Extreme weather : a guide & record book |last=Burt |first=Christopher |date=2004 |publisher=W.W. Norton |others=Cartography by Stroud, Mark. |isbn=978-0393326581 |edition=1st |location=New York |oclc=55671731 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/extremeweathergu00burt_0 }}</ref><ref name=Glossary>{{cite web |url= https://www.geographic.org/climate/w.html#waterspout |title=A Comprehensive Glossary of Weather: Waterspout definition |website=geographic.org |access-date=10 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208114424/https://www.geographic.org/climate/w.html#waterspout |archive-date=8 February 2022}}</ref> There are ] of waterspout, each formed by distinct mechanisms. The most common type is a weak vortex known as a "fair weather" or "non-tornadic" waterspout. The other less common type is simply a classic ] occurring over water rather than land, known as a "tornadic", "supercellular", or "mesocyclonic" waterspout, and accurately a "tornado over water".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waterspout |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/waterspout |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327071356/http://www.answers.com/topic/waterspout |archive-date=27 March 2012 |url-status=live |website=] |access-date= 6 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Keith C. Heidorn|editor=Islandnet.com|title=Water Twisters|url=http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/almanac/arc2002/alm02oct.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519195149/http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/almanac/arc2002/alm02oct.htm|archive-date=19 May 2012|access-date=6 December 2010|work=The Weather Doctor Almanach}}</ref> A fair weather waterspout has a five-part life cycle: formation of a dark spot on the water surface; spiral pattern on the water surface; formation of a spray ring; development of a visible ]; and ultimately, decay.<ref name=Glossary/><ref> (] ])</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/article/Waterspout-comes-ashore-in-Galveston-8382923.php |title=Waterspout comes ashore in Galveston |author=Jessica Hamilton Young |work=] |date=17 July 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028152859/https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/article/Waterspout-comes-ashore-in-Galveston-8382923.php |archive-date=28 October 2016}}</ref> Most waterspouts do not suck up water.<ref name=Glossary/><ref>{{cite journal|last=Schwiesow|first=R.L.|author2=Cupp, R.E. |author3=Sinclair, P.C. |author4=Abbey, R.F. |title=Waterspout Velocity Measurements by Airborne Doppler Lidar|journal=Journal of Applied Meteorology|date=April 1981|volume=20|issue=4|pages=341–348|bibcode = 1981JApMe..20..341S |doi = 10.1175/1520-0450(1981)020<0341:WVMBAD>2.0.CO;2 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
Most waterspouts do not suck up water; they are small and weak rotating columns of air over water.<ref name=Glossary/><ref>{{cite journal|last=Schwiesow|first=R.L.|author2=Cupp, R.E. |author3=Sinclair, P.C. |author4=Abbey, R.F. |title=Waterspout Velocity Measurements by Airborne Doppler Lidar|journal=Journal of Applied Meteorology|date=April 1981|volume=20|issue=4|pages=341–348|bibcode = 1981JApMe..20..341S |doi = 10.1175/1520-0450(1981)020<0341:WVMBAD>2.0.CO;2 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
Although they are most often weaker than their land counterparts, stronger versions spawned by ]s do occur.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia
|url = http://www.answers.com/topic/waterspout
|title = Waterspout
|editor = Answer.com
|encyclopedia = McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology
|access-date = 6 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Keith C. Heidorn|editor=Islandnet.com|title=Water Twisters|url=http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/almanac/arc2002/alm02oct.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://archive.today/2012.05.29-201206/http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/almanac/arc2002/alm02oct.htm|archive-date=May 29, 2012|access-date=6 December 2010|work=The Weather Doctor Almanach}}</ref>


While waterspouts form mostly in ] and ] areas,<ref name=Glossary/> other areas also report waterspouts, including ], ] (the Middle East),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lewis|first=Avi|title=Waterspout wows Tel Aviv waterfront|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/waterspout-wows-tel-aviv-waterfront/|access-date=2021-01-12|website=www.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US}}</ref> ], ], the ], ],<ref name="lake_michigan">{{cite news |publisher=BBC News |title=Several waterspouts filmed on Lake Michigan in US | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19315824 | date=20 August 2012 |access-date=20 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Stanley|title=Antarctic Diary|url=http://antarcticdiary.wordpress.com/part-4/|access-date=4 June 2013|date=August 2011}}</ref> and on rare occasions, the ],<ref name="A Great Salt Lake Waterspout">{{cite journal|publisher=AMS |doi=10.1175/1520-0493-119-12-2740.1|author1=]|author2=G. Roff |author3=B. R. Morton |author4=K. Labas |author5=G. Dietachmayer |author6=M. McCumber |author7=R. Penc |title=A Great Salt Lake Waterspout |date = December 1991|journal=]|volume=119|issue=12|pages=2741–2770 |bibcode=1991MWRv..119.2741S |doi-access=free }}</ref> among others. Some are also found on the East Coast of the United States, and the coast of California.<ref name=Burt/> Although rare, waterspouts have been observed in connection with ] ]. While waterspouts form mostly in ] and ] areas,<ref name=Glossary/> they are also reported in ],<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dolet |first=Simon |date=2024|title= Le littoral et la mer : un espace météorologique vécu à travers les trombes marines au XVIIIe siècle| url= https://journals.openedition.org/geohist/8435&ref=doi |journal= Revue de géographie historique |volume=54 | issue = 1| doi=10.4000/11pc0|issn=2264-2617}}</ref> ] (the Middle East),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lewis|first=Avi|title=Waterspout wows Tel Aviv waterfront|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/waterspout-wows-tel-aviv-waterfront/|date=3 November 2014|access-date=12 January 2021|website=The Times of Israel|language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111183523/https://www.timesofisrael.com/waterspout-wows-tel-aviv-waterfront/ |archive-date=11 January 2015}}</ref> ], ], the ], ],<ref name="lake_michigan">{{cite news |website=BBC News |title=Several waterspouts filmed on Lake Michigan in US |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-19315824 | date=20 August 2012 |access-date=20 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429000638/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-19315824 |archive-date=29 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Stanley|title=Antarctic Diary Part 4: The S.Y. Aurora's stay in Commonwealth Bay Adelie Land waiting for Dr Douglas Mawson and the Far East Party to return, working on the Marconi Wireless. |url=https://antarcticdiary.wordpress.com/part-4/|website=Antarctic Diary |access-date=4 June 2013|date=January 13, 1913|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328030815/https://antarcticdiary.wordpress.com/part-4/ |archive-date=28 March 2012}}</ref> and on rare occasions, the ].<ref name="A Great Salt Lake Waterspout">{{cite journal|publisher=AMS |doi=10.1175/1520-0493-119-12-2740.1|author1=Joanne Simpson|author1-link=Joanne Simpson|author2=G. Roff |author3=B. R. Morton |author4=K. Labas |author5=G. Dietachmayer |author6=M. McCumber |author7=R. Penc |title=A Great Salt Lake Waterspout |date = December 1991|journal=]|volume=119|issue=12|pages=2741–2770 |bibcode=1991MWRv..119.2741S |doi-access=free }}</ref> Some are also found on the East Coast of the United States, and the coast of California.<ref name=Burt/> Although rare, waterspouts have been observed in connection with ] ].


==Formation== ==Characteristics==

]
=== Climatology ===
Waterspouts exist on a microscale, where their environment is less than two kilometers in width. The cloud from which they develop can be as innocuous as a moderate cumulus, or as great as a ]. While some waterspouts are strong and tornadic in nature, most are much weaker and caused by different atmospheric dynamics. They normally develop in moisture-laden environments as their parent clouds are in the process of development, and it is theorized they spin as they move up the surface boundary from the horizontal shear near the surface, and then stretch upwards to the cloud once the low level shear vortex aligns with a developing cumulus cloud or thunderstorm. Some weak tornadoes, known as ]s, have been shown to develop in a similar manner.<ref name="Choy">{{cite web
Though the majority of waterspouts occur in the tropics, they can seasonally appear in temperate areas throughout the world, and are common across the western coast of Europe as well as the British Isles and several areas of the Mediterranean and Baltic Sea. They are not restricted to saltwater; many have been reported on lakes and rivers including the ] and the ].<ref>{{cite web|author=Canadian Television News Staff|date=23 July 2008|title=Rare waterspout forms in Montreal during storm|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/rare-waterspout-forms-in-montreal-during-storm-1.310695|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211143838/https://www.ctvnews.ca/rare-waterspout-forms-in-montreal-during-storm-1.310695 |archive-date=11 February 2022 |access-date=21 June 2009|website=CTV News}}</ref> They are fairly common on the Great Lakes during late summer and early fall, with a record 66+ waterspouts reported over just a seven-day period in 2003.<ref name=MWL />

Waterspouts are more frequent within {{cvt|100|km|mi|sigfig=1}} from the coast than farther out at sea. They are common along the southeast U.S. coast, especially off southern Florida and the ], and can happen over seas, bays, and lakes worldwide. Approximately 160 waterspouts are currently reported per year across Europe, with the Netherlands reporting the most at 60, followed by Spain and Italy at 25, and the United Kingdom at 15. They are most common in late summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, September has been pinpointed as the prime month of formation.<ref name=MWL>{{cite magazine
|url= https://www.vos.noaa.gov/MWL/dec_04/waterspout.shtml
|title= The Great Waterspout Outbreak of 2003
|access-date=25 October 2006
|author= Wade Szilagyi
|date= December 2004
|magazine= ]
|publisher=]
|volume = 48
|issue = 3
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051021225733/https://www.vos.noaa.gov/MWL/dec_04/waterspout.shtml
|archive-date=21 October 2005
}}
</ref> Waterspouts are also frequently observed off the east coast of Australia, with several being described by ] during the voyage of the ] in 1770.<ref name="tareetwisters"/><ref>{{Cite book| last = Banks| first = Joseph| title = The Endeavour Journal of Sir Joseph Banks, 1768–1771| publisher = University of Sydney Library| year = 1997}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last = Gibson|first = Jano|title = Waterspout off Sydney|newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald|date = 14 June 2007|url = https://www.smh.com.au/national/waterspout-off-sydney-20070614-gdqdwu.html|access-date =23 January 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211030226/https://www.smh.com.au/national/waterspout-off-sydney-20070614-gdqdwu.html |archive-date=11 February 2021}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Great Lakes Waterspouts.jpg|A family of four waterspouts seen on ], 9&nbsp;September 1999
File:Quadruple Waterspout Summerland Key June 5, 2009.jpg|Four waterspouts seen in the ], 5&nbsp;June 2009
File:CSIRO ScienceImage 7790 A waterspout over the Tasman Sea.jpg|Waterspout in the ], 29&nbsp;January 2009
File:Waterspout 3 (14276517300).jpg|A small waterspout that's pratically invisible seen in this photo.

</gallery>

===Formation===
Waterspouts exist on a ], where their environment is less than two kilometers in width. The cloud from which they develop can be as innocuous as a moderate ], or as great as a ]. While some waterspouts are strong and tornadic in nature, most are much weaker and caused by different atmospheric dynamics. They normally develop in moisture-laden environments as their parent clouds are in the process of development, and it is theorized they spin as they move up the surface boundary from the horizontal shear near the surface, and then stretch upwards to the cloud once the low-level shear vortex aligns with a developing cumulus cloud or ]. Some weak tornadoes, known as ]s, have been shown to develop in a similar manner.<ref name="Choy">{{cite web
|url= http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/spoutpre.html |url= http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/spoutpre.html
|title= Using the WSR-88D to Predict East Central Florida Waterspouts |title= Using the WSR-88D to Predict East Central Florida Waterspouts
|access-date=25 October 2006 |access-date=25 October 2006
|last= Choy |author1= Choy, Barry K.
|author2= Spratt, Scott M.
|first= Barry K.
|website=srh.noaa.gov
|author2=Scott M. Spratt
|publisher=] |publisher=]
|url-status=dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061005182710/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/spoutpre.html |archive-date = 5 October 2006}}
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061005182710/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/spoutpre.html
|archive-date = 5 October 2006}}
</ref> </ref>


More than one waterspout can occur in the same vicinity at the same time. In 2012, as many as nine simultaneous waterspouts were reported on ] in the United States.<ref name="lake_michigan" /> In May 2021, at least five simultaneous waterspouts were filmed near ], off the northern coast of ], Australia.<ref name="tareetwisters">{{cite news|url=https://7news.com.au/weather/astonishing-moment-five-waterspouts-are-seen-at-the-same-time-off-nsw-coast-c-2756336|title=Astonishing moment FIVE waterspouts are seen off NSW coast|publisher=7 News (Australia)|date=May 4, 2021}}</ref> More than one waterspout can occur simultaneously in the same vicinity. In 2012, as many as nine simultaneous waterspouts were reported on ] in the United States.<ref name="lake_michigan" /> In May 2021, at least five simultaneous waterspouts were filmed near ], off the northern coast of ], Australia.<ref name="tareetwisters">{{cite news|url=https://7news.com.au/weather/astonishing-moment-five-waterspouts-are-seen-at-the-same-time-off-nsw-coast-c-2756336|title=Astonishing moment FIVE waterspouts are seen at the same time off NSW coast|website=7news.com.au|date=4 May 2021|author=Elizabeth Daoud |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211143246/https://7news.com.au/weather/astonishing-moment-five-waterspouts-are-seen-at-the-same-time-off-nsw-coast-c-2756336 |archive-date=11 February 2022}}</ref>
{{clear}}


==Types== ==Types==

=== Non-tornadic === === Non-tornadic ===
], the ] on 27 August 2006.]] ] in the ], 27&nbsp;August 2006]]
Waterspouts that are not associated with a rotating updraft of a ] ] are known as "non-tornadic" or "fair-weather waterspouts", and are by far the most common type. Fair-weather waterspouts occur in coastal waters and are associated with dark, flat-bottomed, developing convective ] towers. Waterspouts of this type rapidly develop and dissipate, having life cycles shorter than 20&nbsp;minutes.<ref name="Choy"/> They usually rate no higher than EF0 on the ], generally exhibiting winds of less than {{convert|30|m/s|mi/h km/h|abbr=on|0}}.<ref>{{cite web|author=] <nowiki>Forecast Office, Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI</nowiki>|date=30 April 2008|title=Threat Definitions for Waterspouts|url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/?n=threat-definitions-waterspouts|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://archive.today/2012.08.03-131013/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/?n=threat-definitions-waterspouts|archive-date=August 3, 2012|access-date=27 August 2009|publisher=] Central Region Headuqaters}}</ref>


Waterspouts that are not associated with a rotating updraft of a supercell thunderstorm are known as "non-tornadic" or "fair-weather" waterspouts. By far the most common type of waterspout, these occur in coastal waters and are associated with dark, flat-bottomed, developing convective cumulus towers. Fair-weather waterspouts develop and dissipate rapidly, having life cycles shorter than 20&nbsp;minutes.<ref name="Choy"/> They usually rate no higher than EF0 on the ], generally exhibiting winds of less than {{convert|30|m/s|mi/h km/h|abbr=on|0}}.<ref>{{cite web|author=National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office |location=Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI |date=30 April 2008|title=Threat Definitions for Waterspouts|url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/?n=threat-definitions-waterspouts|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109051858/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/?n=threat-definitions-waterspouts|archive-date=9 November 2012|access-date=27 August 2009|publisher=] Central Region Headquarters |website=crh.noaa.gov}}</ref>
They are most frequently seen in tropical and sub-tropical climates, with upwards of 400 per year observed in the ].<ref name="NWS"/> They typically move slowly, if at all, since the cloud to which they are attached is horizontally static, being formed by vertical ] instead of the subduction/adduction interaction between colliding ].<ref name="NWS">{{cite web

They are most frequently seen in tropical and sub-tropical climates, with upwards of 400 per year observed in the Florida Keys.<ref name="NWS"/> They typically move slowly, if at all, since the cloud to which they are attached is horizontally static, being formed by vertical ] rather than the subduction/adduction interaction between colliding ].<ref name="NWS">{{cite web
|url= http://www.srh.noaa.gov/key/HTML/spottertraining/index.html |url= http://www.srh.noaa.gov/key/HTML/spottertraining/index.html
|title= Basic Spotter Training Version 1.2
|title= Waterspouts
|date=12 September 2002 |date=12 September 2002
|access-date=21 July 2008 |access-date=21 July 2008
|author= ] in ], Florida |author= National Weather Service
|location=Key West, FL
|work= Basic Spotter Training Version 1.2
|website= srh.noaa.gov
|pages= 4–24 |pages= 4–24
|publisher=] |publisher=]
|url-status=dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071009082237/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/key/HTML/spottertraining/index.html |archive-date = 9 October 2007}} |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071009082237/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/key/HTML/spottertraining/index.html |archive-date = 9 October 2007}}
</ref><ref name="Bruce"/> Fair-weather waterspouts are very similar in both appearance and mechanics to ]s, and largely behave as such if they move ashore.<ref name="NWS"/> </ref><ref name="Bruce"/> Fair-weather waterspouts are very similar in both appearance and mechanics to landspouts, and largely behave as such if they move ashore.<ref name="NWS"/>


]
====Life cycle====

]
There are five stages to a fair weather waterspout life cycle. Initially, a prominent circular, light-colored disk appears on the surface of the water, surrounded by a larger dark area of indeterminate shape. After the formation of these colored disks on the water, a pattern of light and dark-colored spiral bands develop from the dark spot on the water surface. Then, a dense ] of sea spray, called a cascade, appears around the dark spot with what appears to be an ]. Eventually, the waterspout becomes a visible funnel from the water surface to the overhead cloud. The spray vortex can rise to a height of several hundred feet or more and often creates a visible wake and an associated wave train as it moves. Eventually, the funnel and spray vortex begin to dissipate as the inflow of warm air into the vortex weakens, ending the waterspout's life cycle.<ref name="Bruce">{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/apx/waterspout|title=Waterspouts|author=Bruce B. Smith|date=22 February 2007|access-date=March 21, 2021|publisher=] Central Region Headquarters}}</ref> There are five stages to a fair-weather waterspout life cycle. Initially, a prominent circular, light-colored disk appears on the surface of the water, surrounded by a larger dark area of indeterminate shape. After the formation of these colored disks on the water, a pattern of light- and dark-colored spiral bands develops from the dark spot on the water surface. Then, a dense ] of sea spray, called a "cascade", appears around the dark spot with what appears to be an ]. Eventually, the waterspout becomes a visible funnel from the water surface to the overhead cloud. The spray vortex can rise to a height of several hundred feet or more, and often creates a visible wake and an associated wave train as it moves. Finally, the funnel and spray vortex begin to dissipate as the inflow of warm air into the vortex weakens, ending the waterspout's life cycle.<ref name="Bruce">{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/apx/waterspout |title=Waterspouts |author=Bruce B. Smith |date=22 February 2007 |access-date=21 March 2021 |publisher=] Central Region Headquarters |website=weather.gov |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407121247/https://www.weather.gov/apx/waterspout |archive-date=7 April 2019
}}</ref>


===Tornadic=== ===Tornadic===
], caused by a severe thunderstorm.]] ], caused by a severe thunderstorm, 15&nbsp;July 2005]]
"Tornadic waterspouts", also accurately referred to as "tornadoes over water", are formed from ]s in a manner essentially identical to land-based tornadoes in connection with ]s, but simply occurring over water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/ghwo/waterspout_levels.html|title=Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook: Waterspout Threat|author=] Forecast Office, Melbourne, Florida |access-date=21 June 2009|date=25 January 2007|publisher=Southern Region Headquarters |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051219191304/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/ghwo/waterspout_levels.html |archive-date = 19 December 2005}}</ref> A tornado which travels from land to a body of water would also be considered a tornadic waterspout.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The 12 July 1995 Pinellas County, Florida, Tornado/Waterspout|journal=Weather and Forecasting |volume = 15|issue=1 |date=February 2000|pages=122–134|author1=Waylon G. Collins |author2=Charles H. Paxton |author3=Joseph H. Golden |doi=10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015<0122:TJPCFT>2.0.CO;2|bibcode=2000WtFor..15..122C |doi-access=free }}</ref> Since the vast majority of mesocyclonic thunderstorms occur in land-locked areas of the United States, true tornadic waterspouts are correspondingly rarer than their fair-weather counterparts in that country. However, in some areas, such as the ], ] and ]s,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwPIULKDikY|title=Rare: Waterspout tornado came ashore in Palermo, Sicily, Italy - August 6, 2020|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> tornadic waterspouts can make up half of the total number.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Waterspouts of the Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean Sea and their meteorological environment|journal=Journal of Atmospheric Research |volume=83|issue=2–4|pages=542–557|author1=Michalis V. Sioutasa |author2=Alexander G. Keul |name-list-style=amp |date=February 2007|doi=10.1016/j.atmosres.2005.08.009|bibcode = 2007AtmRe..83..542S }}</ref>
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==Deterioration==
{{Expand section|date=August 2011}}


"Tornadic waterspouts", also accurately referred to as "tornadoes over water", are formed from ]s in a manner essentially identical to land-based tornadoes in connection with ]s, but simply occurring over water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/ghwo/waterspout_levels.html|title=Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook: Waterspout Threat|author=National Weather Service Forecast Office |location=Melbourne, FL |access-date=21 June 2009|date=25 January 2007|publisher=Southern Region Headquarters | website=srh.noaa.gov |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051219191304/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/ghwo/waterspout_levels.html |archive-date = 19 December 2005}}</ref> A tornado which travels from land to a body of water would also be considered a tornadic waterspout.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The 12 July 1995 Pinellas County, Florida, Tornado/Waterspout|journal=Weather and Forecasting |volume = 15|issue=1 |date=February 2000|pages=122–134|author1=Waylon G. Collins |author2=Charles H. Paxton |author3=Joseph H. Golden |doi=10.1175/1520-0434(2000)015<0122:TJPCFT>2.0.CO;2|bibcode=2000WtFor..15..122C |doi-access=free }}</ref> Since the vast majority of mesocyclonic thunderstorms in the United States occur in land-locked areas, true tornadic waterspouts are correspondingly rarer than their fair-weather counterparts in that country. However, in some areas, such as the ], ] and ]s,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwPIULKDikY |title=Rare: Waterspout tornado came ashore in Palermo, Sicily, Italy |date=6 August 2020 |work=Disasters News channel |via=YouTube |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=29 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829213535/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwPIULKDikY&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> tornadic waterspouts can make up half of the total number.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Waterspouts of the Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean Sea and their meteorological environment|journal=Journal of Atmospheric Research |volume=83|issue=2–4|pages=542–557|author1=Michalis V. Sioutasa |author2=Alexander G. Keul |name-list-style=amp |date=February 2007|doi=10.1016/j.atmosres.2005.08.009|bibcode = 2007AtmRe..83..542S }}</ref>
Nothing has been written here yet about the longevity of any type landspout, about its deterioration or destruction and whether any techniques have been developed or are employed to cause the deterioration, destruction or deflection of waterspouts, especially where they can move onto the coast and maybe turn into tornadoes.
-->


=== Snowspout === <!-- Other articles link here. --> === Snowspout ===
A ''winter waterspout'', also known as an ''icespout'', an ''ice devil'', or a ''snowspout'', is a rare instance of a waterspout forming under the base of a ].<ref>{{cite news
<!-- Deleted image removed: ], just off the shore of ] on 26 January 1994.]] -->
A ''winter waterspout'', also known as a ''snow devil'', an ''icespout'', an ''ice devil'', a ''snownado'', or a ''snowspout'', is a rare instance of a waterspout forming under the base of a ].<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~insrisg/nature/nw03/0414waterspouts.htm |url= http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~insrisg/nature/nw03/0414waterspouts.htm
|title= Waterspouts |title= Waterspouts
|date= 14 April 2003 |date= 14 April 2003
|author= The Buffalo News |publisher= ]
|publisher= ] in ]
|access-date=21 July 2008 |access-date=21 July 2008
|author-link= The Buffalo News |newspaper= The Buffalo News
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401084334/http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~insrisg/nature/nw03/0414waterspouts.htm
|archive-date=1 April 2008
}} }}
</ref> The term "winter waterspout" is used to differentiate between the common warm season waterspout and this rare winter season event. There are a couple of critical criteria for the formation of a winter waterspout. Very cold temperatures need to be present over a body of water, which is itself warm enough to produce ] resembling ] above the water's surface. Like the more efficient ] events, winds focusing down the axis of long lakes enhance wind convergence and increase the likelihood of a winter waterspout developing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/media/btv/events/15Jan2009.pdf|title=15 January 2009: Lake Champlain Sea Smoke, Steam Devils, and Waterspouts: Chapters IV and V|author=National Weather Service Forecast Office |location=Burlington, VT |publisher=Eastern Region Headquarters|website=weather.gov|date=3 February 2009|access-date=21 June 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127200634/https://www.weather.gov/media/btv/events/15Jan2009.pdf |archive-date=27 January 2017}}</ref>
</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.weather.com/glossary/s.html
|title = Snow Devil
|access-date = 21 July 2008
|year = 2008
|work = Glossary
|author = The Weather Channel
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080801101119/http://www.weather.com/glossary/s.html
|archive-date = 1 August 2008
|author-link = The Weather Channel
}}
</ref> The term "winter waterspout" is used to differentiate between the common warm season waterspout and this rare winter season event. There are a couple of critical criteria for the formation of a winter waterspout. Very cold temperatures need to be present over a body of water warm enough to produce ] resembling ] above the water's surface. Like the more efficient ] events, winds focusing down the axis of long lakes enhance wind convergence and likely enhance their development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weather.gov/media/btv/events/15Jan2009.pdf|title=15 January 2009: Lake Champlain Sea Smoke, Steam Devils, and Waterspout: Chapters IV and V|author=] Forecast Office, Burlington, Vermont |publisher=Eastern Region Headquarters|date=3 February 2009|access-date=21 June 2009}}</ref>


The terms "snow devil" and "snownado" describe a different phenomenon: a snow vortex close to the surface with no parent cloud, similar to a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cloudatlas.wmo.int/en/snow-devil.html |title=Snow Devil |website=] |access-date=11 January 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830094433/https://cloudatlas.wmo.int/en/snow-devil.html |archive-date=30 August 2022}}</ref>
==Climatology==
Though the majority of waterspouts occur in the tropics, they can seasonally appear in temperate areas throughout the world, and are common across the western coast of Europe as well as the British Isles and several areas of the Mediterranean and Baltic Sea. They are not restricted to saltwater; many have been reported on lakes and rivers including the ] and the ].<ref>{{cite web|author=Canadian Television News Staff|date=23 July 2008|title=Rare waterspout forms in Montreal during storm|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/rare-waterspout-forms-in-montreal-during-storm-1.310695|url-status=live|access-date=21 June 2009|website=CTV News}}</ref> Waterspouts are fairly common on the Great Lakes during late summer and early fall, with a record 66+ waterspouts reported over just a seven-day period in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vos.noaa.gov/MWL/dec_04/waterspout.shtml|title=The Great Waterspout Outbreak of 2003|author=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=4 December 2009|access-date=6 August 2009|author-link=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration}}</ref>


==Impacts==
They are more frequent within 100&nbsp;kilometers (60&nbsp;mi) from the coast than farther out at sea. Waterspouts are common along the southeast U.S. coast, especially off southern Florida and the ] and can happen over seas, bays, and lakes worldwide. Approximately 160 waterspouts are currently reported per year across Europe, with the Netherlands reporting the most at 60, followed by Spain and Italy at 25, and the United Kingdom at 15. They are most common in late summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, September has been pinpointed as the prime month of formation.
<ref>{{cite journal
|url= http://www.vos.noaa.gov/MWL/dec_04/waterspout.shtml
|title= The Great Waterspout Outbreak of 2003
|access-date=25 October 2006
|author= Wade Szilagyi from the ]
|date= December 2004
|journal= Mariners Weather Log
|publisher=]
| volume = 43
| issue = 3
}}
</ref> Waterspouts are also frequently observed off the east coast of Australia, with several being described by ] during the voyage of the ] in 1770.<ref>{{Cite news|last = Gibson|first = Jano|title = Waterspout off Sydney|newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald|date = 14 June 2007|url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/06/14/1181414437227.html|access-date =23 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=8 July 2008|title=Water spout touches down off Sydney beaches|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|url=http://www.news.com.au/water-spout-touches-down-off-sydney-beaches/story-e6frfkp9-1111116857165|url-status=dead|access-date=23 January 2010|archive-url=http://archive.today/2012.09.19-095452/http://www.news.com.au/top-stories/water-spout-touches-down-off-sydney-beaches/story-e6frfkp9-1111116857165|archive-date=September 19, 2012}}</ref><ref name="illawarra2020">{{cite news|url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/6829634/watch-as-rare-waterspout-forms-off-the-illawarra-coastline/|title=Watch as rare waterspout forms off NSW coastline|publisher=Illawarra Mercury|date=July 12, 2020}}</ref><ref name="conjolawaterspout">{{cite news|date=July 13, 2018|title=Conjola beach waterspout!|work=]|publisher=WIN News Illwarra|url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2268968293119901}}</ref><ref name="tareetwisters"/><ref>{{Cite book| last = Banks| first = Joseph| title = The Endeavour Journal of Sir Joseph Banks, 1768–1771| publisher = University of Sydney Library| year = 1997}}
</ref>


===Human===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="250">
], ], by a ] Search and Rescue crew, 15&nbsp;November 2010]]
File:Great Lakes Waterspouts.jpg|A family of four waterspouts seen on the Great Lakes (]) on 9 September 1999.

File:Quadruple Waterspout Summerland Key June 5, 2009.jpg|Four waterspouts seen in the Florida Keys on 5 June 2009.
Waterspouts have long been recognized as serious marine hazards. Stronger waterspouts pose a threat to watercraft, aircraft and people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1438173/Water-spout-hit-helicopter.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1438173/Water-spout-hit-helicopter.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Water Spout Hit Helicopter|author=Auslan Cramb|work=The Telegraph|date=7 August 2003|access-date=21 June 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It is recommended to keep a considerable distance from these phenomena, and to always be on alert through weather reports. The United States ] will often issue ] when waterspouts are likely or have been sighted over coastal waters, or ]s when waterspouts are expected to move onshore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.weather.gov/mlb/ghwo/waterspout_rules.html|title=Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook: Waterspout Threat|author=National Weather Service Forecast Office |location=Melbourne, FL |publisher=Southern Region Headquarters|website=srh.weather.gov|date=25 January 2007|access-date=21 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061001031924/http://www.srh.weather.gov/mlb/ghwo/waterspout_rules.html |archive-date = 1 October 2006}}</ref>
File:CSIRO ScienceImage 7790 A waterspout over the Tasman Sea.jpg|Waterspout in the ].
File:Tromba marina Vada4.jpg|Waterspout off the Italian coast.
</gallery>


Incidents of waterspouts causing severe damage and casualties are rare; however, there have been several notable examples. The ] of 1551 was the earliest recorded occurrence of a deadly waterspout. It struck the ] of Valletta, sinking four ]s and numerous boats, and claiming hundreds of lives.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Abela|first1=Joe|title=Claude de la Sengle (1494–1557)|url=http://www.islalocalcouncil.com/promseng.htm#claude|website=islalocalcouncil.com|access-date=11 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001090125/http://www.islalocalcouncil.com/promseng.htm#claude |archive-date=1 October 2015}}</ref> The ] were twin waterspouts that made landfall in western Sicily, ravaging the coast and countryside before ultimately dissipating back again over the sea. In August 2024, a waterspout has been reported by some witnesses of the sinking of the large yacht ] off the coast of Sicily and might have been the cause or an aggravating circumstance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sampson |first=Eve |date=2024-08-20 |title=A Waterspout Was Seen When a Luxury Yacht Sank. What Is It? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/world/europe/waterspout-yacht-sinks-sicily.html |access-date=2024-08-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Seven people died while 15 of 22 were rescued.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Barbie Latza Nadeau, Christian Edwards, Niamh |date=2024-08-21 |title=Fifth body found in search for those missing from sunken superyacht |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/21/europe/bayesian-yacht-sicily-sinking-cctv-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-08-22 |language=en}}</ref>
==Marine hazard==
Waterspouts have long been recognized as serious marine hazards. Stronger waterspouts pose threats to watercraft, aircraft and people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1438173/Water-spout-hit-helicopter.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1438173/Water-spout-hit-helicopter.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Water Spout Hit Helicopter|author=Auslan Cramb|work=The Telegraph|date=7 August 2003|access-date=21 June 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It is recommended to keep a considerable distance from these phenomena, and to always be on alert through weather reports. The United States ] will often issue ] when waterspouts are likely or have been sighted over coastal waters, or ]s when waterspouts are expected to move onshore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.weather.gov/mlb/ghwo/waterspout_rules.html|title=Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook: Waterspout Threat|author=] Forecast office, Melbourne, Florida |publisher=Southern Region Headquarters|date=25 January 2007|access-date=21 June 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061001031924/http://www.srh.weather.gov/mlb/ghwo/waterspout_rules.html |archive-date = 1 October 2006}}</ref>


===Natural===
Incidents of waterspouts causing severe damage and casualties are rare. However, there have been several notable examples. The ] in 1555 was the earliest record of a deadly waterspout. It struck the ] of Valletta, sinking four ]s and numerous boats and claiming hundreds of lives.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Abela|first1=Joe|title=Claude de la Sengle (1494–1557)|url=http://www.islalocalcouncil.com/promseng.htm#claude|publisher=Senglea Local Council|access-date=11 November 2015}}</ref> The ] were twin waterspouts that made landfall in western Sicily, ravaging the coast and countryside before ultimately dissipating back again over the sea.
{{See also|Rain of animals#Fish}}


Depending on how fast the winds from a waterspout are whipping, anything that is within about {{convert|1|yd|cm|round=5|abbr=in|order=flip}} of the surface of the water, including fish of different sizes, frogs, and even turtles, can be lifted into the air.<ref name=Cosier>{{cite web | url= http://scienceline.org/2006/09/physics-cosier-rainingfish/ | title= It's Raining Fish: Unusual objects sometimes fall from the sky, courtesy of waterspouts | author = Susan Cosier | date= 17 September 2006 | access-date= 17 May 2015 | work = Scienceline (Physical Science) | publisher = NYU Journalism |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521004213/https://scienceline.org/2006/09/physics-cosier-rainingfish/ |archive-date=21 May 2011}}</ref> A waterspout can sometimes suck small animals such as fish out of the water and all the way up into the cloud. Even if the waterspout stops spinning, the fish in the cloud can be carried over land, buffeted up and down and around with the cloud's winds until its currents no longer keep the fish airborne. Depending on how far they travel and how high they are taken into the atmosphere, the fish are sometimes dead by the time they rain down. People as far as {{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=in|order=flip}} inland have experienced ].<ref name=Cosier/> Fish can also be sucked up from rivers, but raining fish is not a common weather phenomenon.<ref name=Cosier/>
==Threat to marine animals==
{{see also|Rain of animals#Fish}}
Depending on how fast the winds from a waterspout are whipping, anything that is within about {{convert|1|yd|cm|round=5|abbr=in|order=flip}} of the surface of the water, including fish of different sizes, frogs, and even turtles, can be lifted into the air.<ref name=Cosier>{{cite web | url= http://scienceline.org/2006/09/physics-cosier-rainingfish/ | title= It's Raining Fish: Unusual objects sometimes fall from the sky, courtesy of waterspouts. | author = Susan Cosier | date= 17 September 2006 | access-date= 17 May 2015 | work = Scienceline (Physical Science) | publisher = NYU Journalism }}</ref> A waterspout can sometimes suck small animals such as fish out of the water and all the way up into the cloud. Even if the waterspout stops spinning, the fish in the cloud can be carried over land, buffeted up and down and around with the cloud's winds until its currents no longer keep the flying fish in the atmosphere. Depending on how far they travel and how high they are taken into the atmosphere, the fish are sometimes dead by the time they rain down. People as far as {{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=in|order=flip}} inland have experienced raining fish.<ref name=Cosier/> Fish can also be sucked up from rivers, but ] is not a common weather phenomenon.<ref name=Cosier/>


== Research and forecasting == == <span class="anchor" id="SWI"></span> Research and forecasting ==
]


=== {{anchor|SWI}}Szilagyi Waterspout Index ===
The Szilagyi Waterspout Index (SWI), developed by Canadian meteorologist Wade Szilagyi, is used to predict conditions favorable for waterspout development. The SWI ranges from −10 to +10, where values greater than or equal to zero represent conditions favorable for waterspout development.<ref>{{cite conference The Szilagyi Waterspout Index (SWI), developed by Canadian meteorologist Wade Szilagyi, is used to predict conditions favorable for waterspout development. The SWI ranges from −10 to +10, where values greater than or equal to zero represent conditions favorable for waterspout development.<ref>{{cite conference
| url = http://www.essl.org/ECSS/2009/preprints/O05-14-sziladgyi.pdf |url = https://www.essl.org/ECSS/2009/preprints/O05-14-sziladgyi.pdf
| title = A Waterspout Forecasting Technique |title = A Waterspout Forecasting Technique
| first = Wade |author = Szilagyi, W.
|date = 15 September 2009 <!--Date of referenced source, i.e. paper publication date, not conference dates-->
| last =Szilagyi
|conference = 5th European Conference on Severe Storms <!--5h is typo in conference paper-->
| date = 12–16 October 2009
|conference-url = http://www.essl.org/ECSS/2009/
| conference =5h European Conference on Severe Storms
|book-title = Pre-prints
| conference-url = http://www.essl.org/ECSS/2009/
|location = Landshut – GERMANY
| book-title = Pre-prints
| location =Landshut GERMANY |pages = 129–130
|access-date = 22 April 2023
| pages = 129–130
|archive-date = 1 November 2023
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |author1=Sioutas Michalis, Szilagyi Wade |author2=Κeul Alexander |name-list-style=amp | year = 2013 | title = Waterspout Outbreaks over areas of Europe and North America: Environments and Predictability |journal= Atmospheric Research | volume= 123 | pages=167–179|bibcode = 2013AtmRe.123..167S |doi = 10.1016/j.atmosres.2012.09.013 }}</ref>
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231101215800/https://www.essl.org/ECSS/2009/preprints/O05-14-sziladgyi.pdf
|url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |author1 = Sioutas, M. |author2 = Szilagyi, W. |author3 = Keul, A. | year = 2013 | title = Waterspout outbreaks over areas of Europe and North America: Environment and predictability |journal= Atmospheric Research | volume= 123 | pages=167–179|bibcode = 2013AtmRe.123..167S |doi = 10.1016/j.atmosres.2012.09.013 }}</ref>


{{Anchor|ICWR}}
=== {{anchor|ICWR}}International Centre for Waterspout Research ===
The International Centre for Waterspout Research (ICWR) is a non-governmental organization of individuals from around the world who are interested in the field of waterspouts from a research, operational and safety perspective.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The International Centre For Waterspout Research|url=http://www.icwr.ca|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405224009/http://www.icwr.ca/|archive-date=2012-04-05|access-date=10 December 2011}}</ref> Originally a forum for researchers and meteorologists, the ICWR has expanded interest and contribution from storm chasers, the media, the marine and aviation communities and from private individuals. The International Centre for Waterspout Research (ICWR) is a non-governmental organization of individuals from around the world who are interested in the field of waterspouts from a research, operational and safety perspective.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The International Centre For Waterspout Research (ICWR), "understanding our atmosphere through global cooperation."|url=http://www.icwr.ca|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405224009/http://www.icwr.ca/|archive-date=5 April 2012|access-date=10 December 2011}}</ref> Originally a forum for researchers and meteorologists, the ICWR has expanded interest and contribution from storm chasers, the media, the marine and aviation communities and from private individuals.


== Myths == == Myths ==
There was a commonly held belief among sailors in the 18th and 19th centuries that shooting a broadside cannon volley dispersed waterspouts.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure|year= 1750 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CZpFAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA2-PA154|volume=6–7|page=154}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=American Journal of Science and Arts|year= 1849|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=02IWAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA3-PA266|page=266|publisher=S. Converse}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Adventures of Captain Robert Johnson|year=1810|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gBfw0lzqWIcC&pg=PA19|publisher=Thomas Tegg|author=Robert Johnson|page=B2}}</ref> Among others, Captain Vladimir Bronevskiy claims that it was a successful technique, having been an eyewitness to the dissipation of a phenomenon in the ] while a ] aboard the frigate ''Venus'' during the 1806 campaign under ].<ref>{{cite book|title=Naval Memoirs of Vladimir Brovevskiy |language=ru |year=1837|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wJBDAAAAcAAJ&pg=322|page=322|publisher=Тип. Императорской Росс. Акад.}}</ref>
]
There was a commonly held belief among sailors in the 18th and 19th centuries that shooting a broadside cannon volley dispersed waterspouts.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure|year= 1750 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CZpFAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA2-PA154|volume=6 and 7|page=154}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=American Journal of Science and Arts|year= 1849|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=02IWAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA3-PA266|page=266|publisher=S. Converse}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Adventures of Captain Robert Johnson|year=1810|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gBfw0lzqWIcC&pg=PA19|publisher=Thomas Tegg|author=Robert Johnson|page=B2}}</ref> Among others, Captain Vladimir Bronevskiy claims that it was a successful technique, having been an eyewitness to the dissipation of a phenomenon in the ] while a ] aboard the frigate ''Venus'' during the 1806 campaign under ].<ref>{{cite book|title=Naval Memoirs of Vladimir Brovevskiy |language=ru |year=1837|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wJBDAAAAcAAJ&pg=322|page=322|publisher=Тип. Императорской Росс. Акад.}}</ref>


A waterspout has been proposed as a reason for the abandonment of the '']''.<ref>{{cite book |language=en |last1=Begg |first1=Paul |title=Mary Celeste: The Greatest Mystery of the Sea |publisher=] |year=2007 |location=] |isbn=978-1-4058-3621-0|pages=140–146}} A waterspout has been proposed as a reason for the abandonment of the '']''.<ref>{{cite book |language=en |last1=Begg |first1=Paul |year=2007 |title=Mary Celeste: The Greatest Mystery of the Sea |location=Harlow, England |publisher=] |pages=140–146 |isbn=978-1-4058-3621-0}}
</ref> </ref>

{{clear}}


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Tornadoes|Weather}} {{Portal|Tornadoes|Weather}}
* ]
{{Commons category|Waterspouts}}
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ] * ]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== == External links ==
{{Commons category|Waterspouts}}
===General===
* A from the boat ''Nicorette'' approaching the NSW ]. * A from the boat ''Nicorette'' approaching the NSW ].
* A ] online article on waterspouts:
*
* . Archived from on 10 March 2007. * . Archived from on 10 March 2007.
* {{cite web|url=https://www.icwr.ca/experimental-great-lakes-waterspout-forecast.php |title=Waterspout forecasts |publisher=International Centre for Waterspout Research}}
*
* {{cite journal|series=Historical perspective |journal=] |volume=43 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ok9AQAAIAAJ&q=sand%20and%20water%20spouts |title=Sand and Water spouts |date=25 December 1880 |issue=26 |page=407|doi=10.1038/scientificamerican12251880-407 }}
*
* . '']'', February 1907.
*
* {{cite journal|series=Historical perspective |journal=] |volume=43 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ok9AQAAIAAJ&q=sand%20and%20water%20spouts |title=Sand and Water spouts |date=December 25, 1880 |issue=26 |page=407|doi=10.1038/scientificamerican12251880-407 }}

===Winter waterspout===
* '']'', February 1907.


{{Cyclones}} {{Cyclones}}
{{good article}}


]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]


] ]

Latest revision as of 04:48, 9 December 2024

Vortex or tornado occurring over a body of water For a pipe carrying water from a roof, see Downspout. For regrowth on trees, see Water sprout. For the performance act of regurgitating fluids, see Water spouting.

A waterspout near Florida in 1969. Two flares with smoke trails (near base of photograph) have been discharged to indicate wind direction and general speed.
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A waterspout is a rotating column of air that occurs over a body of water, usually appearing as a funnel-shaped cloud in contact with the water and a cumuliform cloud. There are two types of waterspout, each formed by distinct mechanisms. The most common type is a weak vortex known as a "fair weather" or "non-tornadic" waterspout. The other less common type is simply a classic tornado occurring over water rather than land, known as a "tornadic", "supercellular", or "mesocyclonic" waterspout, and accurately a "tornado over water". A fair weather waterspout has a five-part life cycle: formation of a dark spot on the water surface; spiral pattern on the water surface; formation of a spray ring; development of a visible condensation funnel; and ultimately, decay. Most waterspouts do not suck up water.

While waterspouts form mostly in tropical and subtropical areas, they are also reported in Europe, Western Asia (the Middle East), Australia, New Zealand, the Great Lakes, Antarctica, and on rare occasions, the Great Salt Lake. Some are also found on the East Coast of the United States, and the coast of California. Although rare, waterspouts have been observed in connection with lake-effect snow precipitation bands.

Characteristics

Climatology

Though the majority of waterspouts occur in the tropics, they can seasonally appear in temperate areas throughout the world, and are common across the western coast of Europe as well as the British Isles and several areas of the Mediterranean and Baltic Sea. They are not restricted to saltwater; many have been reported on lakes and rivers including the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. They are fairly common on the Great Lakes during late summer and early fall, with a record 66+ waterspouts reported over just a seven-day period in 2003.

Waterspouts are more frequent within 100 km (60 mi) from the coast than farther out at sea. They are common along the southeast U.S. coast, especially off southern Florida and the Keys, and can happen over seas, bays, and lakes worldwide. Approximately 160 waterspouts are currently reported per year across Europe, with the Netherlands reporting the most at 60, followed by Spain and Italy at 25, and the United Kingdom at 15. They are most common in late summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, September has been pinpointed as the prime month of formation. Waterspouts are also frequently observed off the east coast of Australia, with several being described by Joseph Banks during the voyage of the Endeavour in 1770.

  • A family of four waterspouts seen on Lake Huron, 9 September 1999 A family of four waterspouts seen on Lake Huron, 9 September 1999
  • Four waterspouts seen in the Florida Keys, 5 June 2009 Four waterspouts seen in the Florida Keys, 5 June 2009
  • Waterspout in the Tasman Sea, 29 January 2009 Waterspout in the Tasman Sea, 29 January 2009
  • A small waterspout that's pratically invisible seen in this photo. A small waterspout that's pratically invisible seen in this photo.

Formation

Waterspouts exist on a microscale, where their environment is less than two kilometers in width. The cloud from which they develop can be as innocuous as a moderate cumulus, or as great as a supercell. While some waterspouts are strong and tornadic in nature, most are much weaker and caused by different atmospheric dynamics. They normally develop in moisture-laden environments as their parent clouds are in the process of development, and it is theorized they spin as they move up the surface boundary from the horizontal shear near the surface, and then stretch upwards to the cloud once the low-level shear vortex aligns with a developing cumulus cloud or thunderstorm. Some weak tornadoes, known as landspouts, have been shown to develop in a similar manner.

More than one waterspout can occur simultaneously in the same vicinity. In 2012, as many as nine simultaneous waterspouts were reported on Lake Michigan in the United States. In May 2021, at least five simultaneous waterspouts were filmed near Taree, off the northern coast of New South Wales, Australia.

Types

Non-tornadic

Non-tornadic waterspouts seen from the beach at Kijkduin near The Hague in the Netherlands, 27 August 2006

Waterspouts that are not associated with a rotating updraft of a supercell thunderstorm are known as "non-tornadic" or "fair-weather" waterspouts. By far the most common type of waterspout, these occur in coastal waters and are associated with dark, flat-bottomed, developing convective cumulus towers. Fair-weather waterspouts develop and dissipate rapidly, having life cycles shorter than 20 minutes. They usually rate no higher than EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, generally exhibiting winds of less than 30 m/s (67 mph; 108 km/h).

They are most frequently seen in tropical and sub-tropical climates, with upwards of 400 per year observed in the Florida Keys. They typically move slowly, if at all, since the cloud to which they are attached is horizontally static, being formed by vertical convective action rather than the subduction/adduction interaction between colliding fronts. Fair-weather waterspouts are very similar in both appearance and mechanics to landspouts, and largely behave as such if they move ashore.

Five stages of a fair-weather waterspout lifecycle

There are five stages to a fair-weather waterspout life cycle. Initially, a prominent circular, light-colored disk appears on the surface of the water, surrounded by a larger dark area of indeterminate shape. After the formation of these colored disks on the water, a pattern of light- and dark-colored spiral bands develops from the dark spot on the water surface. Then, a dense annulus of sea spray, called a "cascade", appears around the dark spot with what appears to be an eye. Eventually, the waterspout becomes a visible funnel from the water surface to the overhead cloud. The spray vortex can rise to a height of several hundred feet or more, and often creates a visible wake and an associated wave train as it moves. Finally, the funnel and spray vortex begin to dissipate as the inflow of warm air into the vortex weakens, ending the waterspout's life cycle.

Tornadic

Tornadic waterspout off the coast of Punta Gorda, Florida, caused by a severe thunderstorm, 15 July 2005

"Tornadic waterspouts", also accurately referred to as "tornadoes over water", are formed from mesocyclones in a manner essentially identical to land-based tornadoes in connection with severe thunderstorms, but simply occurring over water. A tornado which travels from land to a body of water would also be considered a tornadic waterspout. Since the vast majority of mesocyclonic thunderstorms in the United States occur in land-locked areas, true tornadic waterspouts are correspondingly rarer than their fair-weather counterparts in that country. However, in some areas, such as the Adriatic, Aegean and Ionian Seas, tornadic waterspouts can make up half of the total number.

Snowspout

A winter waterspout, also known as an icespout, an ice devil, or a snowspout, is a rare instance of a waterspout forming under the base of a snow squall. The term "winter waterspout" is used to differentiate between the common warm season waterspout and this rare winter season event. There are a couple of critical criteria for the formation of a winter waterspout. Very cold temperatures need to be present over a body of water, which is itself warm enough to produce fog resembling steam above the water's surface. Like the more efficient lake-effect snow events, winds focusing down the axis of long lakes enhance wind convergence and increase the likelihood of a winter waterspout developing.

The terms "snow devil" and "snownado" describe a different phenomenon: a snow vortex close to the surface with no parent cloud, similar to a dust devil.

Impacts

Human

Waterspout filmed off Anglesey, Wales, by a Royal Air Force Search and Rescue crew, 15 November 2010

Waterspouts have long been recognized as serious marine hazards. Stronger waterspouts pose a threat to watercraft, aircraft and people. It is recommended to keep a considerable distance from these phenomena, and to always be on alert through weather reports. The United States National Weather Service will often issue special marine warnings when waterspouts are likely or have been sighted over coastal waters, or tornado warnings when waterspouts are expected to move onshore.

Incidents of waterspouts causing severe damage and casualties are rare; however, there have been several notable examples. The Malta tornado of 1551 was the earliest recorded occurrence of a deadly waterspout. It struck the Grand Harbour of Valletta, sinking four galleys and numerous boats, and claiming hundreds of lives. The 1851 Sicily tornadoes were twin waterspouts that made landfall in western Sicily, ravaging the coast and countryside before ultimately dissipating back again over the sea. In August 2024, a waterspout has been reported by some witnesses of the sinking of the large yacht Bayesian off the coast of Sicily and might have been the cause or an aggravating circumstance. Seven people died while 15 of 22 were rescued.

Natural

See also: Rain of animals § Fish

Depending on how fast the winds from a waterspout are whipping, anything that is within about 90 cm (1 yard) of the surface of the water, including fish of different sizes, frogs, and even turtles, can be lifted into the air. A waterspout can sometimes suck small animals such as fish out of the water and all the way up into the cloud. Even if the waterspout stops spinning, the fish in the cloud can be carried over land, buffeted up and down and around with the cloud's winds until its currents no longer keep the fish airborne. Depending on how far they travel and how high they are taken into the atmosphere, the fish are sometimes dead by the time they rain down. People as far as 160 km (100 miles) inland have experienced raining fish. Fish can also be sucked up from rivers, but raining fish is not a common weather phenomenon.

Research and forecasting

Illustration from the book The Philosophy of Storms, published in 1841

The Szilagyi Waterspout Index (SWI), developed by Canadian meteorologist Wade Szilagyi, is used to predict conditions favorable for waterspout development. The SWI ranges from −10 to +10, where values greater than or equal to zero represent conditions favorable for waterspout development.

The International Centre for Waterspout Research (ICWR) is a non-governmental organization of individuals from around the world who are interested in the field of waterspouts from a research, operational and safety perspective. Originally a forum for researchers and meteorologists, the ICWR has expanded interest and contribution from storm chasers, the media, the marine and aviation communities and from private individuals.

Myths

There was a commonly held belief among sailors in the 18th and 19th centuries that shooting a broadside cannon volley dispersed waterspouts. Among others, Captain Vladimir Bronevskiy claims that it was a successful technique, having been an eyewitness to the dissipation of a phenomenon in the Adriatic while a midshipman aboard the frigate Venus during the 1806 campaign under Admiral Senyavin.

A waterspout has been proposed as a reason for the abandonment of the Mary Celeste.

See also

References

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