Water Spouts and Tornadoes

9/4/2018 (Permalink)

Tornadoes are a common component of severe weather and they can bring immense destruction with them.  Living in a coastal community, the threat of tornadoes is less than other regions of the nation, but with so much water surrounding us, waterspouts are a common occurrence.  So, what’s the difference?  Are water spouts just a tornado over water?  To truly understand waterspouts, you must first know that they are broken down into two different categories. There are fair-weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts. Tornadic water spouts start from intense rotating thunderstorms and these are the most dangerous but fortunately, the least common.  Fair weather waterspouts spring from slow moving developing storms and occur much more frequently.  Both require high humidity and a warm water temperature to develop. It is important to remember that waterspouts can move over land and become a tornado. Alternately tornadoes can move from land to water and become waterspouts.  Waterspouts are most common from late spring to early fall.  If they do move over land they can still cause damage, though in general, not as extensive as a tornado that has developed over land.  They are generally weaker by the time they reach land.  If you are impacted by storm damage, SERVPRO of Mobile County is always “Here to help”.  Contact us any time of the day or night at 251-343-0534.