What to do if see a waterspout heading our way?

[tudorsailor]

I started this thread 2 years ago and it lay dormant. Then we were crossing from Italy to Croatia last monthand saw several waterspouts ahead. When I googled waterspouts I came back to this thread! So here is my photo of one of the waterspouts. Luckily they faded before they were too close


TudorSailor

 

[KellysEye]

>As mentioned, get the sails down quick as if a line squall is approaching; if it really looks like hitting, get everyone below and batten down the hatches - if there's sea room to do so.


That's what we did when a water spout was approaching off the Greek coast.

 

[tudorsailor]

So saw several more waterspouts yesterday near Dubrovnik (Sept 2018)



I wonder why they occur. Moreover how powerful are they. What weight can get lifted??? Maybe a weather expert might explain?

TudorSailor

 

[macd]

I wonder why they occur. Moreover how powerful are they. What weight can get lifted???

I suppose Sunday morning and idle curiosity are natural bedfellows, but if you really want to get fired up, Wiki has a fairly comprehensive page.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Years ago I saw a slide of one in Walton Backwaters!

Tornadoes (the land equivalent) are common enough in East Anglia; anywhere with flat countryside can breed them. I saw one once not far from Cambridge (between Waterbeach and Stretham if anyone knows the area). I once read that they are actually more common in the UK on an area by area basis than in Tornado Alley in the States - but I don't know if that's true! As they are short-lived phenomena, you do have to be in the right place at the right time and have a bit luck as well to see them. So a waterspout in the Walton Backwaters isn't that surprising.

 

[Kukri]

Tornadoes (the land equivalent) are common enough in East Anglia; anywhere with flat countryside can breed them. I saw one once not far from Cambridge (between Waterbeach and Stretham if anyone knows the area). I once read that they are actually more common in the UK on an area by area basis than in Tornado Alley in the States - but I don't know if that's true! As they are short-lived phenomena, you do have to be in the right place at the right time and have a bit luck as well to see them. So a waterspout in the Walton Backwaters isn't that surprising.

Thanks.. now I’m ever so slightly worried!

Are they seasonal? I would suppose that hot weather is needed?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Thanks.. now I’m ever so slightly worried!

Are they seasonal? I would suppose that hot weather is needed?

I think they are more likely after a prolonged hot spell. But I am not a meteorologist!

 

[Leighb]

Doesn’t only happen in hot weather. The severe tornado that hit Newmarket in the late 70s early 80s was in January. Associated with an intense cold front AFAIR. Fortunately nobody seriously injured but major damage to property and the railway line was out of action for months as the signal box was wrecked.

 

[KellysEye]

>As mentioned, get the sails down quick as if a line squall is approaching; if it really looks like hitting, get everyone below and batten down the hatches - if there's sea room to do so.


Agree we had to do that once in Greece.

 

[fisherman]

I asked a met. man: he said don't mess with it, the wind will be going round at 100 knots.

(I suggested I would 'sail' into it, I meant motor in my 14 ton F/V)