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Scientists believe that tornadoes and waterspouts begin in severe thunderstorms called a supercells and are caused by a vertical wind sheer; a wind that changes direction as it gets higher. This change of direction and height causes the air to begin spinning which results in a tornado or waterspout.

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Any intense vortex (AKA funnel clouds) made a touch down on the water body will called waterspout.

There are two types of waterspout:

Non-Tornadic:

This type of waterspout rarely rated higher than F1 in Fujita scales. It usually forms at the bottom of strata-cumulus or developing towering cumulus. It must form over a unstable environment, low vertical windshear area, but strong convergences near the boundary levels (lower level). This is the most common waterspout. This type of waterspout usually associate with vertical convection, rather than rotating updraft.

Tornadic:

As answered above in the previous answer, it's formed by rotating updraft. This kind of Waterspout could be potentially deadly.

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14y ago
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5mo ago

A waterspout forms when a rotating column of air over water connects with a cumulus cloud above. The spinning motion causes water droplets to be lifted into the air, creating a visible funnel-shaped cloud. Waterspouts are typically weaker than tornadoes and usually dissipate once they move onshore.

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10y ago

A waterspout is an intense columnar vortex (usually appearing as a funnel-shaped cloud) that occurs over a body of water. Most waterspouts form from an ordinary thunderstorm, or even a towering cumulus cloud.

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12y ago

Most waterspouts form from an ordinary thunderstorm, or even a towering cumulus cloud. Both thunderstorms and cumulus clouds generate an updraft. If they occur over a relatively warm body of water the updraft at the surface can be strengthened. If there is any hint of rotation in the air, which can occur on its own, it can get caught up in the updraft, tightened, and intensified to produce a waterspout. This mode of formation is more like that of dust devils than it is of tornadoes.

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13y ago

A water sprout is a tornado over water. Most waterspouts occur when the water is significantly warmer than the air above it. This causes thunderstorms to start developing.

At the same time, convection occurs near the surface as well. If there is localized rotation in the area the surface level convection itself could start rotating. As this convective vortex grows and intensifies it connects to the updraft of a developing storm and strengthens even further.

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10y ago

Waterspouts are very similar to tornadoes, except they're not that powerful, but if it moves on shore, then it's a tornado. Like all tornadoes, they would usually thin out like a big piece of rope, then vanish.

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14y ago

Known officially as tornadoes" by the National Weather Service, they form during the growth stage of convective clouds by the ingestion and tightening of boundary layer vorticity by the tower's updraft. most often occur in drier areas with storms and considerable instability. They generally are smaller and weaker than tornadoes, though many persist in excess of 15 minutes and some have produced F3 damage. They bear an appearance and generative mechanism highly similar to that of waterspouts, usually taking the form of a translucent and highly laminar helical tube. Like waterspouts, they are also technically considered tornadoes since they are defined by an intensely rotating column of air in contact with both the surface and a cloud. Not all are visible, and many are first sighted as debris swirling at the surface before eventually filling in with condensation and dust.

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13y ago

Waterspouts can occur on most bodies of water in a temperate or tropical climate area. The key factor in waterspout formation is that the water is warmer than the air up above.

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14y ago

in water

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Q: How does a waterspout form?
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Related questions

What is a sentence for waterspout?

The water comes out the waterspout.


What is a synonym for waterspout?

A synonym for waterspout is a whirlwind or a tornado at sea.


Where can a waterspout form?

Over water! The great lakes and of course oceans! But most form at the ocean around Florida.


Can tornadoes form over water and what are they called?

Yes. A tornado on water is called a waterspout.


What is a tornado on water called not waterspouts?

Waterspout is the correct term. If a tornado forms on water by the same mechanisms that it would form on land (i.e. from the mesocyclone of a supercell) it is called a tornadic waterspout.


Can a waterspout destroy a beach house?

Well, yes and no. If the waterspout comes ashore and hits the beach house, it can destroy it. But if the waterspout comes ashore, it is no longer a waterspout - it is a tornado.


Do tornadoes form on water or land?

They can form on either on water or on land, but it is more common for them to form on land. A tornado on water is called a waterspout.


How high does a waterspout go?

they can only form in the lower atmosphere/troposhpere, the same as a regular tornado.


How much water can a waterspout pick up?

Depends on the size and strength of the Waterspout.


Where is a tornado called a waterspout?

A tornado is called a waterspout anywhere that it forms on water.


Is a land spout a waterspout on land?

Yes, a landspout is essentially a waterspout on land.


What do you call a tornado that forms over a calm sea?

A tornado on water is called a waterspout.