Page "Tornado" Paragraph 45

A waterspout is defined by the National Weather Service as a tornado over water.

However, researchers typically distinguish " fair weather " waterspouts from tornadic waterspouts.

Fair weather waterspouts are less severe but far more common, and are similar to dust devils and landspouts.

They form at the bases of cumulus congestus clouds over tropical and subtropical waters.

They have relatively weak winds, smooth laminar walls, and typically travel very slowly.

They occur most commonly in the Florida Keys and in the northern Adriatic Sea.

In contrast, tornadic waterspouts are stronger tornadoes over water.

They form over water similarly to mesocyclonic tornadoes, or are stronger tornadoes which cross over water.

Since they form from severe thunderstorms and can be far more intense, faster, and longer-lived than fair weather waterspouts, they are more dangerous.

In official tornado statistics, waterspouts are generally not counted unless they impact land, though some European weather agencies count waterspouts and tornadoes together.