Waterspout Spotted in Victoria Harbor: A Rare Phenomenon

A waterspout appeared in the waters of Victoria Harbor around 12:30 noon, captivating the attention of netizens who filmed footage of the rare phenomenon. The waterspout rose halfway up and then disappeared, with some people filming it at the northern corner of the Eastern District Corridor and others capturing its approach to the shore of Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool in Hung Hom.

The sea water rolled into a columnar shape and floated in mid-air, turning for about 2 minutes. Netizens photographed the waterspout, sharing their experiences on social media.

The Observatory stated that this is the first time in 65 years, since reports of waterspouts began to be received in 1959, that a waterspout has been reported in Victoria Harbor.

What is a Waterspout?

A waterspout is a rapidly rotating cloud column mixed with water droplets, connected to the water surface by the base of the convective cloud. Waterspouts generally have lower wind speeds than tornadoes on land. Because waterspouts can sometimes suck up water, they are also commonly known as “dragons sucking water.”

Types of Waterspouts

The Observatory stated that waterspouts can be divided into two types. The first type originates from the downdrafts of convective clouds and spreads outward over the sea. These “cold outflows” converge and then encounter warm sea surfaces, which is conducive to the formation of waterspouts.

The formation mechanism and characteristics of the second type of waterspout are the same as those of tornadoes on land. They are usually related to violent thunderstorms and develop from top to bottom. In the initial stage, a funnel cloud will appear first, and then gradually extend to the ground or sea surface.