What is a waterspout, which may have sunk the luxury yacht off Sicily?

What is a waterspout, which may have sunk the luxury yacht off Sicily?

Sub: Geo

Sec: Climatology

Context:

• A yacht sank off the coast of Sicily, Italy after being hit by a Waterspout.

Waterspout:

• A waterspout is a large column of air and mist rotating over a water body.
• It typically lasts for around five minutes, occasionally reaching 10 minutes.
• The average waterspout can be around 165 feet in diameter, with wind speeds of 100 kilometres per hour.
• Although waterspouts are more common in tropical waters, they can appear anywhere.
• They occur when there are high levels of humidity and relatively warm water temperatures compared to the overlying air.

Types of waterspouts:

• There are two types of waterspouts: tornadic waterspouts and fair-weather waterspouts.
• Tornadic waterspouts
  • Tornadic waterspouts are actual tornadoes that form over water or move from land to water.
  • They are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning.
  • Tornadic waterspouts can be large and may lead to considerable destruction.
• Fair-weather waterspouts
  • More common, form over only water.
  • They are less dangerous and usually small.