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A waterspout was captured in the heights on Friday afternoon in Güira de Melena, Artemisa, as reported by meteorologist Raidil Ruisánchez on his social media; fortunately, the waterspout did not interact with the surface.
The phenomenon occurred at around 2:00 PM, as specified by the expert, and was caused by atmospheric instability conditions.
The intense daytime heating and local factors, combined with weak high pressures over the territory and an adequate moisture content in the lower layers of the atmosphere, led to the formation of the waterspout.
A waterspout aloft is a meteorological phenomenon similar to a waterspout, but it forms over land or at high levels in the atmosphere, without a direct connection to the ground.
The event observed this Friday occurred a day after a tornado affected the municipality of Alquíza this Thursday, also in the province of Artemisa, and apparently caused minor damage to the roofs of houses.
The meteorologist Frank Fernández Castañeda noted that the tornado dissipated after traveling about 800 meters, upon encountering a rain area.
Witnesses cited by the specialist confirmed that the phenomenon had a limited trajectory and its impact was mild, although it caused alarm among the residents.
The images confirm that the phenomenon caused visible damage, albeit limited, to the local infrastructure.
A young man managed to escape the path of the tornado just seconds before it hit while filming the phenomenon with his mobile phone. He ran to take shelter in a nearby house, thereby avoiding being caught by the tornado that was forming just a few meters from where he was.
The event caused partial damage to homes, dislodged roofs, and affected crops in areas near Alquízar. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported, but there was visible damage to local infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Weather Phenomena in Artemisa
What is a waterspout?
A funnel cloud is a meteorological phenomenon similar to a waterspout, but it forms over land or at high altitudes in the atmosphere, without a direct connection to the ground. This phenomenon is observed when atmospheric conditions are unstable, as occurred in Güira de Melena, Artemisa.
What were the conditions that allowed the formation of the waterspout in Güira de Melena?
The formation of the funnel cloud in Güira de Melena was due to a combination of meteorological factors: intense daytime heating, weak high pressures over the territory, and an adequate moisture content in the lower layers of the atmosphere. These conditions generated the instability necessary for its development.
What has been the frequency of tornadoes and similar phenomena in Cuba in recent years?
In recent years, the frequency of tornadoes and extreme phenomena has increased in Cuba, especially in the western provinces. Events such as the tornado in January 2019 in Havana have established a pattern of atmospheric instability, reflecting a rise in the occurrence of these phenomena.
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