waterspout

waterspout tornado occurring at sea or over inland waters. The characteristic funnel-shaped cloud is formed at the base of a cumulus-type cloud and extends downward to the water surface, where it picks up spray. Waterspouts are most frequent in tropical regions, but are not uncommon in higher latitudes.

waterspout A tornado-like vortex that occurs over water and is visible because of the condensation of atmospheric water vapour in the low pressure around the core (not because water is drawn upward from the surface). A waterspout may be a tornado that has moved from over the land, or may form over water, not necessarily beneath a mesocyclone cloud.

waterspout. This resembles a tornado over land and is formed by an intense vortex in the air that sucks water from the sea surface forming a dark funnel and creating high winds within and around it. They form in two ways. The majority occur in fine weather when the sea temperatures are high and the air is very humid; these form at sea level and then ascend into the sky. Less common, but more destructive, are those that form like tornadoes as vortices at the base of a thundercloud and then extend down to the sea's surface. They have been known to suck up shoals of fish, which then rain down from the top of the vortex.

The maxi-yacht Nicorette only just survived a waterspout when one hit it during the 2001 Sydney–Hobart race (see yachting: sail). The skipper afterwards reported that the upward suction was so immense that it was like being in, and looking up at, a huge vacuum cleaner.

See also Mary Celeste.

M. V. Angel