Waterspouts Dot Biscayne Bay
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - After months of drought in South Florida, rainy season has arrived and with it, a greater danger for severe weather and waterspouts. At least two were spotted over Biscayne Bay Friday morning.
Chopper 4 spotted the ominous looking spouts dipping down from from banks of rain over the bay. While the waterspouts look like tornadoes, they are generally much weaker, last for a short time, and unless they move over land, are only dangerous if they happen to pass over a boat.
Unlike tornadoes, waterspouts usually are not connected with thunderstorms, and can develop from ordinary rain clouds, as appeared to be the case Friday. They generally form and disappear in a relatively small area.
Despite the appearance of the spout, which looks like it is sucking water from the bay into the clouds, the watery appearance is caused by condensation in the spout. Nothing is sucked up into the cloud, but where it touches the water it can cause turbulence that makes waves and can toss boats around.
The National Weather Service said conditions are right for the formation of other waterspouts, and boaters are warned to navigate away from heavy rain where the waterspouts may appear.
