The incredible moment a huge waterspout forms off Australia’s most famous stretch of sand

The incredible moment a huge waterspout forms off Australia’s most famous stretch of sand

  • A huge waterspout was spotted off Bondi Beach’s north end in Sydney last week 
  • Sydney’s recent chilly weather has contributed to creating the waterspout  
  • Waterspouts are harmless as long as people on the water don’t sail into them 

A huge waterspout has been spotted off Bondi Beach, as Sydney’s recent chilly weather creates the perfect recipe for incredible natural phenomenon.

Stunning photos were captured of the waterspout, which was seen off the coast of the famous beach’s north end last week. 

A Weatherzone spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that relatively warm water coupled with cool air temperatures makes the waterspouts form easily. 

A huge waterspout (pictured) has been spotted off Bondi Beach as Sydney’s recent chilly weather creates the perfect recipe for incredible natural phenomenon

‘Waterspouts in Sydney aren’t hugely uncommon… We usually see around one or two in Sydney per year,’ he said. 

But the spokesman said that waterspouts making land is a ‘whole different ball game.’

He said the phenomenon usually occurs more in Brisbane where there’s warmer weather. 

‘The day this waterspout occurred, there was a low pressure trough. 

A Weatherzone spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that relatively warm water coupled with cool air temperatures makes the waterspouts (pictured) easy to form

A Weatherzone spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that relatively warm water coupled with cool air temperatures makes the waterspouts (pictured) easy to form

 

Despite resembling a tornado, waterspouts (pictured) are harmless as long as people on the water don't sail into them

Despite resembling a tornado, waterspouts (pictured) are harmless as long as people on the water don’t sail into them

‘[And it] made the mix of warm moist air and cold dry air – making it optimal [for a waterspout] when they mix together and start to spiral,’ he said. 

Despite resembling a tornado, waterspouts are harmless as long as people on the water don’t sail into them. 

The images come just a few weeks after a rare double waterspout tornado was captured off the coast in southern Thailand spinning above beachgoers.

The incredible natural phenomenon was seen in the province of Krabi earlier this month, just before sunset.

Video shows the two thin funnels descending from an expanse of grey clouds down to the sea.

The vortexes spin quickly but do not suck up water, rather the air above is rotating in a thin column.

Hundreds of beachgoers and residents in the area gathered to watch the spectacle before the clouds disappeared after a few minutes.

WATERSPOUTS: DEADLY FUNNELS THAT CAN RISE HUNDREDS OF FEET 

What are they and why do they form?

Waterspouts are whirling columns of air and water mist.

They form when cumulus clouds grow rapidly. These clouds are detached, fluffy-looking and cauliflower-shaped.

Cumulus clouds develop due to convection. This is when hot air rises and cools to form water vapour, which then condenses to form clouds. 

They fall into two categories: ‘fair weather’ and ‘tornadic’ 

(1) Tornadic waterspouts 

These are tornadoes that form over water, or move from land to water, and develop downwards during thunderstorms.

They have the same characteristics as a land tornado and can be accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail and lightning.

(2) Fair weather waterspouts 

These usually form along the dark flat base of a line of developing cumulus clouds and develop upwards from the surface of water.

They are generally not associated with thunderstorms and form in light wind conditions so don’t move very much. 

The five stages of formation 

1. Dark spot: A light-coloured disk appears on the water’s surface surrounded by a larger darker area

2. Spiral pattern: A combination of light and dark patches on the water spiral out from the dark spot

3. Spray ring: A ring of sea spray appears around the dark spot

4. Mature vortex: The waterspout reaches maximum intensity, making a funnel shape which appears hollow. It can rise several hundred feet.

5. Decay: The funnel and spray vortex begin to dissipate as the inflow of warm air into the vortex weakens

Sources: Met Office / National Ocean Service / National Weather Service

 

 

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