The Anatomy of Waterspout

Waterspout:  waw-ter-spout (noun) A tornado occurring over water that forms a column of water and mist extending between the surface and the clouds above. cyclone, twister, whirlwind, eddy


5 Part Life Cycle 

 Stage 1: Formation of a dark spot on the water surface

Stage 2: Spiral Pattern on the water surface

Stage 3: Formation of a spray ring

Stage 4: Development of visible condensation funnel

Stage 5: Ultimately decay

Two types of Waterspouts: Fair Weather waterspout & Tornadic waterspout

Tornadic waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water, or move from land to water. They have the same characteristics as a land tornado. They are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning.

Fair weather waterspouts usually form along the dark flat base of a line of developing cumulus clouds. This type of waterspout is generally not associated with thunderstorms. While tornadic waterspouts develop downward in a thunderstorm, a fair weather waterspout develops on the surface of the water and works its way upward. By the time the funnel is visible, a fair weather waterspout is near maturity. Fair weather waterspouts form in light wind conditions so they normally move very little. These type of  waterspouts dissipate rapidly when they make landfall, and rarely penetrate far inland.

Boaters: If a waterspout is sighted, immediately head at a 90 degree angle form the apparent motion of the waterspout. Never try to navigate through a waterspout. Although waterspouts are usually weaker than tornadoes, they can still produce significant damage to you and your boat.

*An amazing fact about water spouts is that they continue to be mysterious despite of extensive 

studies on them. Their unique nature continues to baffle world all together.

 A bit of history...

Physical and Meteorological Observations: Conjectures and Suppositions by Franklin in 1751 , but not published in the Royal Society's Philosophical Transactions until 1765 , Franklin explained a weather condition that forms large "whirlings". “Thus these eddies may be whirlwinds at land, waterspouts at sea.” He assumed that these were produced by air ascending or descending that had attained a circular motion. The air within receded “from the middle of the circle by a centrifugal force, and leaving there a vacancy; if descending, greatest above, and lessening downwards; if ascending, greatest below, and lessening upwards; like a speaking trumpet standing its big end on the ground. When the air descends with violence in some places, it may rise with equal violence in others, and form both kinds of whirlwinds.The air in its whirling motion receding every way from the center or axis of the trumpet, leaves there a vacuum; which cannot be filled through the sides, the whirling air, as an arch, preventing; it must then press in at the open ends. …. The air entering, rises within, and carries up dust, leaves, and even heavier bodies that happen in its way, as the eddy, or whirl, passes over land. If it passes over water, the weight of the surrounding atmosphere forces up the water into the vacuity… A body of water so raised may be suddenly let fall, when the motion, &c. has not strength to support it, or the whirling arch is broken so as to let in the air; falling in the sea, it is harmless, unless ships happen under it. But if in the progressive motion of the whirl, it has moved from the sea, over the land, and there breaks, sudden, violent, and mischievous torrents are the consequences.”

*The earliest record of a water spout on sea goes as back as 1456 when a whirlwind of water was spotted on the sea near Ancona in Italy