Waterspout Forms Off The North Shore

August 19, 2019

A waterspout formed off of the North Shore yesterday [Aug 18] providing locals with a look at the weather phenomenon, which the BWS explained is caused when two primary wind regimes move towards each other.

Bermuda Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Bufalino explained, “What commonly causes this localized phenomenon is when two primary wind regimes move towards each other. If these wind regimes continue to strike one another and begin to interact, they can produce a localized circulation of air over the water, sometimes compared to a merry-go-round or carousel.

“If these circulations get caught up in an updraft that is linked to nearby building clouds, showers, or thunderstorms, then they can help promote a concentration of rising air that circulates, thus a waterspout.

“This waterspout was a perfect example of how benign and inactive weather conditions can quickly change. The key reason behind the two opposing wind regimes was the background synoptic flow, which was on the forecast, and another wind regime that developed from a nearby shower.

“These small-scale events are almost impossible to predict, particularly in an environment like Bermuda.”

Photos courtesy of Olivia de Frias: