Watch: Waterspout Spotted Over Sea In Baħar Iċ-Ċagħaq
A waterspout was spotted over the sea in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq earlier this morning.
Footage sent to Lovin Malta shows the natural phenomenon appearing before the horizon. This comes as the island braces itself for a possible thunderstorm later today.
Waterspouts fall into two categories: fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts.
Tornadic waterspouts 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.
Meanwhile, fair weather waterspouts usually form along the dark flat base of a line of developing cumulus clouds. This type of waterspout is generally not associated with thunderstorms.
While tornadic waterspouts develop downward in a thunderstorm, a fair weather waterspout develops on the surface of the water and works its way upward. By the time the funnel is visible, a fair weather waterspout is near maturity. Fair weather waterspouts form in light wind conditions so they normally move very little.
Typically, fair weather waterspouts dissipate rapidly when they make landfall, and rarely make their way far inland.
Did you spot the waterspout?
READ NEXT: 8,000 Kilometres Later: Smoke From Extensive Canada Wildfires Reaches Malta
