Persons living in some areas along the East Coast and West Coast Demerara yesterday viewed a unique weather phenomenon – a waterspout.
A press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, which has responsibility for hydro meteorology explained that a waterspout is a funnel which contains an intense vortex, sometimes destructive, of small horizontal extent and which occurs over a body of water. “The belief that a waterspout is nothing more than a tornado over water is only partially true. The fact is, depending on how they form, waterspouts come in two types: tornadic and non tornadic (fair weather),” said the release.

It went on to say that tornadic waterspouts generally begin as true tornadoes over land in association with a thunderstorm, and then move out over the water. “They can be large and are capable of considerable destruction. Fair weather waterspouts, on the other hand, form only over open water. They develop at the surface of the water and climb skyward in association with warm water temperatures and high humidity in the lowest several thousand feet of the atmosphere. They are usually small, relatively brief, and less dangerous. The non tornadic variety of waterspout is much more common than the tornadic, the release said.

The Ministry said yesterday’s waterspout is considered to be non-tornadic in nature. It said that this type of waterspout is formed over water initially due to warm temperatures in the lower atmosphere along with high humidity. “Fair weather waterspouts are generally not as dangerous and are more common than tornadic waterspouts. However, fishermen and people who live near larger bodies of water should exercise caution as current meteorological conditions may support similar type water spout to develop occasionally,” the Ministry said.

“The sightings of waterspouts are considered is considered to be rare in this part of the tropics but with the right meteorological conditions in the atmosphere always can support its development. Waterspouts are more common in tropical Australia, Europe and some parts of the United States,” the Ministry said.