A marine tornado with a striking visual impact formed this Friday on the shores of Havana, right in front of the iconic Malecón, creating moments of alarm and confusion among those present in the area.
The phenomenon, also known as a waterspout, developed around 1:30 p.m. under a sky covered with thick clouds and an atmosphere characterized by heat, humidity, and climatic instability, typical conditions that favor the occurrence of these meteorological events.
Videos and photographs shared on social media show the impressive column of swirling air briefly connecting the sea with the sky, in a natural display that combined beauty with tension. Witnesses recounted moments of awe and concern, as some moved away from the shore for safety.
The journalist Boris Luis Cabrera Acosta confirmed that the waterspout did not cause any material damage or casualties, and that it dissipated shortly after its appearance, without making landfall.
What is a waterspout and how does it differ from a tornado?
A waterspout is a meteorological phenomenon that forms over water, unlike a tornado, which occurs over land. Both structures share a similar appearance: a rotating column of air that descends from a storm cloud.
However, waterspouts tend to be less intense and destructive than tornadoes, although they can pose a real danger to vessels and coastal areas if they come ashore.
There are two main types: the non-tornadic, which are more common and can even form without severe storms, and the tornadic, associated with more violent systems. In the case of Havana, it appears to have been a non-tornadic waterspout, favored by the atmospheric instability that characterized the capital's weather during the morning and midday today.
The event adds to a series of extreme weather phenomena that have been occurring more frequently in the country.
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