How Much Do You Know About Water Spouts?

5/18/2018 (Permalink)

Have you ever heard that saying “We live where you vacation”? Living in beautiful Land o' Lakes, Florida, we know that statement to be 100% true. As we enter mid-April beautiful weather is nothing new to the Pasco County area and neither are the late afternoon thunderstorms. One moment the sun is shining and the next you look out your window and you'll see a waterspout, one of the many joys of living in Florida. 

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there are two types of water spouts, fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts. Tornadic waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water or move from land to water. They have the same characteristics as a land tornado and are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning. 

Fair weather waterspouts usually form along the dark flat base of a line of developing cumulus clouds. This type of waterspout is generally not associated with thunderstorms. While tornadic waterspouts develop downward in a thunderstorm, a fair-weather waterspout develops on the surface of the water and works its way upward. By the time the funnel is visible, a fair-weather waterspout is near maturity. Fair weather waterspouts form in light wind conditions so they normally move very little.  

Whether your Land O' Lakes home experiences storm damage from a tornadic water spout or your average everyday early spring thunderstorm, call SERVPRO of Wesley Chapel, we are here to help. 

http://www.noaa.gov/