Weather News

A weekend of waterspouts off Hilton Head Island. Are more possible?

Multiple waterspouts were spotted off Hilton Head Island this weekend and forecasts show weather conditions remain favorable for them to form heading into Monday morning.

Amy Bender Cornett snapped a picture of a spout about 10 a.m. from the balcony of her room at the Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa.

The Ponte Vedra Beach resident said it stayed formed about five to 10 minutes before disappearing.

Beachgoers also captured a video of a waterspout off Coligny Beach Friday morning.

Fair weather waterspouts — tornadoes over water — require warm water and cumulus cloud formations to occur.

National Weather Service Charleston Meterologist Brittany MacNamara said the rotations typically form offshore with a line of clouds.

“They are typically fairly weak as compared to an on-land tornado,” MacNamara said.

MacNamara said conditions remain the same Monday as they have been for recent days off the Lowcountry coast.

“There is definitely a chance for more waterspouts,” MacNamara said. She added they tend to form more frequently this time of year.

Mariners should remain cautious of the rotations, MacNamara said. Also, while rare, waterspouts can come on shore.

TM
Teresa Moss
The Island Packet
Teresa Moss is a crime and public safety reporter for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette. She has worked as a journalist for 16 years for newspapers in Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas.
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