Buzz
Simply because a waterspout develops over water doesn't mean you're safe on land.
Polina Shuvaeva/ThinkStockIf you find yourself staring at your kitchen faucet in shock, thinking, "I honestly had no idea my waterspout could turn into a tornado," rest assured you're not alone. We're not referring to the common waterspouts you might get from your faucet or hose — those won't turn into tornadoes. It's safe to say your left shoe won't suddenly transform into a tornado either.
These waterspouts are of an entirely different nature. Let's clarify one thing — these hazardous water phenomena can indeed evolve into tornadoes, and when they do, you should make sure to take immediate action and get to safety. Now, let’s take a moment to understand the nature of waterspouts more deeply.
Don't buy into the myth that tornadoes never cross over rivers or lakes. It may seem like comforting information, but it's not true. This brings us to waterspouts. These are tornado-like columns of water and air, typically forming over bodies of water, or even traveling from land to water. They're accompanied by dangerous weather elements like large hail, intense storms, and lightning — meaning the same tornado warnings apply. If you spot a waterspout, get as far away as possible.
When a waterspout moves from water onto land, it is technically classified as a tornado [source: Feltgen]. It loses its waterspout status because waterspouts are only recognized when they form over water.
We've been focusing on "tornadic" waterspouts, but there's also a milder version called "fair weather waterspouts." These form from harmless cumulus clouds (the puffy, white ones) and don’t create a tornado. Fair weather waterspouts are stationary, as cumulus clouds don't move much, so the winds they produce are gentle [source: NOAA]. Even so, it’s best to avoid them, as conditions could change at any moment.
Waterspouts typically form in tropical or humid environments, but a rare snowspout was observed in Canada in 1994. The frigid air caused steam to rise from Lake Ontario, leading to the formation of this unusual waterspout in cold weather [source: National Geographic].
