Waterspout caught on camera after thunderstorms in Nova Scotia

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

After non-severe thunderstorms spread across the province, people were amazed to see a funnel-type cloud forming.

According to 95.7’s weather specialist, Allister Aalders, the clouds are now confirmed to be a waterspout. The Northern Tornadoes Project, which catalogues data from storms producing twisters across Canada, confirmed the waterspout off the coast of Nova Scotia on Oct. 25.

“There are two main categories of waterspouts: Tornadic and fair-weather waterspouts,” Aalders said.

The one captured by onlookers off Isle Madame in Cape Breton is a fair-weather spout after some non-severe storms went through the area at around 1:00 p.m.

Aalders said they develop “when the water is warm but the air above it is cool, and instead develop from the surface of the water to the base of cumulus clouds as air cools and condenses.”

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He also noted that the wind could shift direction, forcing the height to change and rotate.

“The lifespan of a typical waterspout is about 5 to 15 minutes, and while often weaker than tornadoes can still be dangerous and fatal,” Aalders explained.

 In this incident, no damage was reported, according to the Northern Tornadoes Project.

“While often considered a more uncommon weather phenomenon in our region, the chances of their development increase from August through October,” Aalders said of the spouts.

Following the storms and sighting of the waterspout, some Nova Scotians were rewarded with a rainbow.

Off Isle Madame, N.S. a waterspout could be seen over homes. (Via Denise Wilson/Contributed)