Waterspout

Waterspout Latest News

Recently, a rare weather phenomenon resembling a waterspout was observed over the Brahmaputra in Assam’s Barpeta district.  

About Waterspout

• A waterspout is a large column of air and mist rotating over a water body.
• It is less intense and typically lasts for around five minutes — occasionally it can last up to 10 minutes.
• The average waterspout can be around 165 feet in diameter, with wind speeds of 100 kilometres per hour.
• They occur when there are high levels of humidity and relatively warm water temperatures compared to the overlying air.

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Types of waterspouts

• Tornadic waterspouts
  • These 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
  • These are usually formed under calmer conditions along the dark flat base of a line of developing cumulus clouds.
  • It is generally not associated with thunderstorms.
  • It is developed from the water’s surface upward. (While tornadic waterspouts develop downward in a thunderstorm)
  • Typically move very little due to light wind conditions.

Source: IT