Best Waterspout Shots of 2013 (PHOTOS)

By: By Becky Kellogg

Published: December 23,2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Oldsmar, Fla.

This waterspout may have come ashore in Oldmar, Fla. in July, 2013. (kfelk30/weather.com)

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2013 has been the year of the waterspout. There have been a number of high-profile waterspout events that were captured on video and still photos nationwide, including a waterspout which swirled just offshore Tampa, Fla. and a record-breaking week for spotters in the Great Lakes.
(MORE: 6 Things You Didn't Know About Waterspouts)
Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water but, unlike tornadoes, they are usually relatively weak and dissipate once they near or reach land.
“The perfect conditions for waterspouts are instability (cool air over warmer water) and source of spin – or, what we call in meteorology, vorticity,” said director of the International Centre Waterspout Research Wade Szilagy. “You need a combination of the two.”
Because of their relatively non-violent nature, waterspouts are one of the more photogenic and awe-inspiring feats of nature. This year, it seems our weather.com photo fan inbox is overflowing with waterspout photos.
“For North America, for the Great Lakes, waterspout season begins in July and last until late summer or early fall,” said Szilagy. “But waterspouts can happen during the day or night and anytime during the year.”
(MORE: Waterspout Hot Spots)
We've gathered the best waterspout photos from our fans. The settings include oceans, lakes, and even a cruise ship.
MORE: Tornado Risk For Your State by Month

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September Tornado Risk

weather.com

30-year average number of tornadoes through 2011: 63