What's a waterspout that likely caused 'Bayesian' superyacht sinking
A luxury yacht carrying 22 people, including the United Kingdom's tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, has sunk off the coast of Sicily. The incident occurred during a violent storm on Monday, which experts believe may have been a waterspout. This natural phenomenon is essentially a tornado that forms over water bodies.
What is a waterspout
A waterspout is a large column of air and mist that spins over a water body, often described as a weaker version of tornadoes. These natural phenomena typically last for around five minutes but can sometimes persist up to 10 minutes. The average waterspout measures about 165 feet in diameter with wind speeds reaching up to 100km per hour.
Where do they occur
While waterspouts are more common in tropical waters, they can occur anywhere globally. Their formation is influenced by high humidity levels and relatively warm water temperatures compared to the overlying air. The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) categorizes waterspouts into two types: tornadic and fair-weather waterspouts, each with distinct characteristics and potential for destruction.
Tornadic vs fair-weather waterspouts
Tornadic waterspouts are actual tornadoes that form over water or move from land to water. They are associated with severe thunderstorms and often bring high winds, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning. On the other hand, fair-weather waterspouts form only over water during calm weather conditions. They are less dangerous and usually smaller in size than their tornadic counterparts.
Rising ocean temperatures may increase waterspout frequency
According tDr Peter Inness, a meteorologist at the University of Reading, suggests that rising ocean temperatures could lead to an increase in the frequency of waterspouts. He cites a study by scientists from the University of Barcelona, which found that waterspouts are more likely when the sea surface is very warm. Currently, the sea surface in Sicily's region is about 2.5 to 3 degrees Celsius warmer than the 1990-2020 average.
