Meteorologist Yosmelvi Páez Cornell reported on Tuesday the appearance of a waterspout, also known as a "tail of clouds," in the municipality of Vertientes, Camagüey province, in the afternoon.
According to details shared on their Facebook profile, the phenomenon was observed around 6:00 p.m. and may have touched down near the nursing home where the municipality's solar panels are located, which would classify it as a tornado.
“At this moment, a waterspout was observed at a high altitude in the municipality of Vertientes... it is very likely that it touched down, and if so, it is classified as a tornado,” explained the specialist, who also shared a video he recorded during the event.
"Gentlemen, it's coming down, it's about to touch the ground," Páez commented with a voice of astonishment in one of the shared videos.
"That's pretty chubby; it must have already reached land," he emphasized in another short clip.
In a short third video, Páez mentioned that the phenomenon seemed to be disintegrating and clarified that he wasn't sure whether it made landfall or not. A couple of seconds later, for added drama, he said it was strengthening again, but he couldn't keep track of the weather phenomenon.
A low-intensity tornado was reported on Monday near José Martí International Airport in Havana.
The information was revealed by the Cuban meteorologist Elier Pila Fariñas through his official profile on the social network X, where he shared an image of the phenomenon and confirmed that it was a weak tornado that formed briefly in that area of the capital.
The Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) commented on the severe and rapid deterioration of weather conditions in some municipalities of Havana on the afternoon of this Monday, which it described as a “spike in severity”.
Frequently Asked Questions about the tornado in Vertientes, Camagüey
What happened in the municipality of Vertientes, Camagüey province?
A waterspout was reported at altitude, also known as a "whirl of clouds," which may have touched down and classified as a tornado.
What weather conditions favor the formation of tornadoes in Cuba?
The conditions that favor the formation of tornadoes include high humidity, daytime heating, and the presence of a trough in the mid and lower levels of the atmosphere.
How is a waterspout classified as a tornado?
A funnel cloud is classified as a tornado when it reaches the ground. If it forms over the sea and touches the water, it is called a waterspout.
Is it common for severe weather phenomena to occur in Cuba?
Yes, in Cuba, severe weather phenomena such as severe local storms, tornadoes, and waterspouts are common, especially during periods of high atmospheric instability.
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