WATERSPOUTS
At least one man died and six people are missing after a luxury yacht sank was hit by a violent storm off the coast of Sicily, Italy, on Monday (August 19).
Experts suggest the storm could have been a waterspout — essentially a tornado over water.
WHAT IS A WATERSPOUT?
A water sprout is a rotating column of air or mist that forms over a body of water. It’s essentially a tornado that occurs over water.
There are two main types:
- Fair weather waterspouts: These are usually weaker and form in calm weather conditions.
- Tornadic waterspouts: These are more powerful and are actually tornadoes that form over water.
MORE ABOUT WATERSPOUTS
It is a weaker cousin of tornadoes 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.
WHERE ARE THEY FORMED?
Although waterspouts are more common in tropical waters, they can appear anywhere. They occur when there are high levels of humidity and relatively warm water temperatures compared to the overlying air.
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