A waterspout surprises Pinar del Río

A tornado at altitude was observed on Wednesday afternoon in Pinar del Río, as reported by the Cuban meteorologist Raydel Ruisánchez on his Facebook account.

The specialist explained that the phenomenon occurred briefly around 2:10 PM and was favored by the atmospheric instability that persists in the western part of Cuba.

This instability is due to the presence of a nearly stationary front along the northern coast, which is in the process of dissipating.

The report and images of the event were provided by meteorologist Osniel Armas, who confirmed that it was a waterspout rather than a tornado.

Waterspouts form from cumuliform clouds and do not reach the surface, unlike tornadoes, so they generally do not cause damage.

However, its presence indicates strong upward currents and unstable atmospheric conditions.

The phenomenon was visible from various locations and caught the attention of residents who observed the formation in the sky before it dissipated minutes later.

The sighting of a waterspout over Pinar del Río adds to a series of similar phenomena that have drawn attention in various regions of the country.

In the municipality of Los Cruces, in Cienfuegos, residents recently observed a structure similar to one rising from cumulonimbus clouds, without reaching the ground, in atmospheric conditions characterized by high humidity and heat.

Phenomena like this have also surprised residents in coastal areas. A waterspout was spotted off the coast of Isla de la Juventud, generating significant excitement due to its proximity to the beach, although it did not cause any damage.

Such events are often associated with intense local storms and the interaction between masses of warm and cold air.

In the north of Pinar del Río, two consecutive waterspouts were spotted in the sky over Mantua, surprising residents who managed to photograph the vortices formed over the sea. Although they did not touch land, these phenomena reflect the high energy accumulated in the atmosphere during summer afternoons.

Also to the south of the capital, a waterspout was spotted in the Calimete area, visible from several municipalities in Havana. Meteorologists explained at the time that these events, although visually striking, do not pose an immediate danger when they do not develop into tornadoes.