Danger of waterspouts should not be neglected -- meteorologists |02 March 2005

Denis Chang-Seng, acting assistant director of the National Meteorological Services, said reports of waterspouts have increased this season, particularly in December and early February.

Even more recently, Mr Chang-Seng said he personally observed at least two waterspouts between Beau Vallon and Silhouette on Saturday afternoon, while another four were observed between Port Victoria and Praslin on Monday February 28 in the late afternoon. “They lasted for several minutes as they moved southeast.”

Mr Chang-Seng said that the increased reports of the waterspouts could simply mean that the public is becoming more aware of weather and natural phenomena. However, he added that December through February has been characterised by “marked spells of light winds, high air and sea surface temperatures coupled with high humidity. These could be the most likely cause of such an increase.”

Although in the past waterspouts have largely been neglected, he said, it is becoming clear that such phenomena should be identified and listed as a potential marine weather hazard. Waterspouts are “highly unpredictable because of their size and the lack of real-time atmospheric and oceanic observations,” he added.

The NMS is carrying out its first official study on waterspouts to better understand them. No documented study on waterspouts has been performed in the region to date, according to Mr Chang-Seng.

“Better understanding of these high-energy but short-lived phenomena will help to mitigate their likely potential impacts in the future,” he said.