A waterspout is a meteorological phenomenon characterized by a tall, funnel-shaped cloud formation that extends downward from a cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud to the surface of a body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. It is essentially a tornado over water.
Waterspouts are typically formed by the same atmospheric conditions that give rise to tornadoes on land, namely, a combination of unstable air masses, rotation, moisture, and strong wind shear. These factors enable the development of a violent vortex, or rotating column of air, which becomes visible as a waterspout when it comes into contact with a water surface.
Waterspouts can vary in size, ranging from a few meters to several hundred meters in diameter. They often appear as a slender, elongated funnels protruding downwards, surrounded by a swirling cloud or spray. They may have a calm and peaceful appearance from a distance, but can become extremely dangerous if they make landfall. When a waterspout moves ashore, it transforms into a tornado and can cause significant damage to structures, vehicles, and vegetation in its path.
Given their geographical prevalence, waterspouts are most commonly observed in tropical and coastal regions around the world. They tend to form during the warm season, when the water and air temperatures are sufficiently high to create the necessary instability for their formation. However, waterspouts can occur at any time of the year, particularly in areas with favorable meteorological conditions.
