A waterspout is essentially a tornado over water, and they come in two main forms.
Understanding Waterspouts
Waterspouts are fascinating meteorological phenomena that occur over bodies of water. They are essentially rotating columns of air, similar to tornadoes, but formed or occurring specifically over water.
Types of Waterspouts
According to available information, waterspouts can be categorized into two main types:
- Fair Weather Waterspouts: The reference doesn't offer detail on these.
- Tornadic Waterspouts: These are simply tornadoes that form over water or move from land to water. They possess the same characteristics as land tornadoes. Therefore, tornadic waterspouts are the more dangerous variety.
Characteristics of Tornadic Waterspouts
Since tornadic waterspouts are essentially tornadoes, they share similar characteristics:
- Rotation: A visible rotating column of air.
- Connection to a Cumuliform Cloud: They are often connected to a cumulonimbus or cumulus congestus cloud.
- Potential for Damage: Can cause damage to boats and other structures on the water.
Summary
Waterspouts are essentially tornadoes occurring over water, with tornadic waterspouts being the type that originate as tornadoes over land and then move over water, retaining their characteristics as a tornado.
