A waterspout developed off the Baltic Sea island of Rügen last Saturday (23 August). This natural spectacle could be observed over the Schaproder Bodden between Rügen and Hiddensee and attracted numerous onlookers. As various images show, a vortex of air stretched from a dark cloud to the surface of the water. The rotating funnel clearly stirred up the water and created a spectacular image that quickly spread on social media.
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Waterspout visible even from a long distance
The Instagram profile "Ostsee rezeptpflichtig" shared a video of the natural phenomenon, which quickly caused a stir. According to the information on the page, the waterspout is said to have travelled from Bergen in the direction of Gingst.
The waterspout was not only visible in the immediate vicinity, but also from a greater distance. According to various media reports, people were able to observe the natural spectacle between Schaprode and Hiddensee. The vortex was even visible from Stralsund. According to the police, the tornado dissipated after a short time without causing any damage.
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The formation of waterspouts
Waterspouts occur under certain weather conditions, whereby there are a total of four different conditions that favour their formation. In the cold seasons, cold high-altitude air can meet relatively warm water; the wind field is usually rather weak in this case. Even in summer, wind conditions are usually rather weak, which favours the formation of such phenomena. A decisive factor is the formation of convergence zones, where air masses flow together and rise, which can create cumulus clouds. In such areas, it is possible for waterspouts to develop.
Differences between waterspouts and tornadoes
In contrast to tornadoes, which develop almost exclusively over land from violent thunderstorm cells, waterspouts often form over bodies of water in calmer weather conditions. Another key difference is the intensity: tornadoes are often accompanied by so-called supercells - particularly strong rotating thunderstorm systems - and are generally more destructive and longer-lasting than waterspouts.
Waterspouts are not the only vortex phenomena that can cause a stir. Just recently, a dust devil swept over a beach in Mallorca and flung parasols around. A waterspout was also spotted over Lake Constance at the end of June. Although these phenomena differ in their origin and intensity, they are based on similar basic meteorological principles.
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Leonie Meyer
Editor News & Panorama
