Re: [Paddlewise] WaterSpouts

I have a degree in metrology.

A water spout is a tornado which forms over or has traveled from land onto
water.  In general, once the convection cell which has spawned the water
spout gets over a largish area of water it will rapidly lose it's energy and
the spout will dissipate.

Like tornadoes water spouts (generally) have smallish diameters and the
chance of being run down by the funnel is not very  great.  I do not know of
any observations respect the volume of water in the spout.  I suspect it's
mostly highly aerated spray.

Since the spout follows a rather non predictable path there is little you
can do to avoid it if you are on open water and cannot get to land.  If you
have self rescuing skills I would be inclined to lash my self to the kayak
and get in the water (if I was in the path).  The chances of electrocution
are small and you and your partially water filled boat stand little risk of
injury from flying debris or being sucked up and deposited god knows where!
In general the entire event should be passed within 20 to 30 (long) minutes.

Remember that spouts are frequently found within the heavy precipitation
associated with a convention cell and cannot be seen.  A few years ago I got
caught (in a sailboat) in such an event.  Although I could hear the roaring
of the spout I never saw it.  I saw the radar plot later and I estimated the
spout was about a 1/4 mile away.

Remember that violent winds always surround the funnel and you will be at
greater risk from these winds then from being run down by the spout.

Richard Smith

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