‘Legazpeños’ abuzz over waterspout nearby Albay Gulf
A waterspout occurring around Lamba/Maslog area in Legazpi City, Albay. Facebook photo from Earl James Romano
A waterspout was spotted just off the coast of Albay Gulf Sunday afternoon, causing quite a stir among nearby residents and passers-by.
Joggers, cyclists, and the like paused and grabbed their gadgets to take a photo of what looked like a tornado that occurred in a humid day.
The weather phenomenon lasted for around 30 minutes and left a mist that obscured the air.
On Facebook, Albay representative Joey Salceda posted photos of the waterspout, making ‘netizens’ who weren’t there, quite abuzz.
An online check indicated that waterspout is a tornado over water. It is a column of cloud-filled wind rotating over a body of water.
Science authorities indicated two major types of waterspouts: Fair weather and Tornadic. The latter form from the clouds surrounding it, while the former form from the water.
Tornadic waterspouts are usually associated with thunderstorms and have the same characteristics of a land tornado, but just happen to be over water.
Fair weather waterspouts require warm water and cumulus cloud formations to occur. They often look like they are barely moving.
On the other hand, Tornadic waterspouts can move fast and transition smoothly from water to shore.
While some citizens worried about the occurrence of a waterspout, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that there was nothing to worry since such phenomenon usually occur during a thunderstorm and would quickly disappear.
Fair weather waterspouts usually dissipate before hitting land because they really depend on warm water while Tornadic waterspouts are more likely to hit land.
But both pose a threat to fisher-folk and it still should be taken seriously.
On the same hand, Tornadic waterspouts can cause extensive property damage and injuries to people due to its intense wind speed.
Fortunately, that waterspout did not cause any damages, a report from the state weather bureau said.
