Warning issued for waterspout near Galveston, Texas

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

1 1 minute read

(TNS) – For the second time this week, massive waterspouts were spotted emerging from the sea near Galveston, prompting weather warnings from local weather experts. The National Weather Service (NWS) office that oversees Houston and Galveston issued a brief special marine warning Wednesday morning, which includes coastal waters from High Island to Freeport after a massive waterspout was observed in the area. No hail was expected from the event, which saw winds below 39 mph.

Dan Reilly, warning coordination meteorologist for NWS Houston-Galveston, said these warnings are issued based on reports from phone calls and, in some cases, webcams. Recently, waterspouts have increased in the area due to favorable conditions. This includes warm water temperatures, low humidity and convective instability, Reilly said. “Also relatively light winds and low vertical wind shear, the presence of convergence limits (such as land or sea breezes),” he added.

Because it is not uncommon for many waterspouts to occur simultaneously over a wide area, maritime warnings tend to cover larger geographic areas than land-based tornado warnings, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Saltwater Recon captured the huge rotating column of air and water mist in the distance from a camera set up on Jamaica Beach.

A tornado-like phenomenon was also observed in the west end of Galveston on Monday. Although waterspouts are not uncommon in the area, some witnesses said this was the largest waterspout they had ever observed. Bill Hand, a local resident who also observed Monday's waterspout, took a photo of Wednesday's event. He said the waterspout lasted 15 minutes. Victor Florez spotted it from houses just south of Terramar Beach.

Sometimes waterspouts can make landfall. However, they are mostly much weaker than tornadoes, produce little or no damage and dissipate quickly, according to NOAA. The agency said the best way to avoid them is to move at a 90-degree angle to its apparent movement.
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