A waterspout, commonly referred to as a "rabo de nube," was spotted on Thursday in the southern area of Guanajay, Artemisa, without causing any damage on the ground. The observation was confirmed by meteorologist Frank Fernández Castañeda on Facebook. He clarified that this was a funnel cloud or high-altitude waterspout, which differs from tornadoes as these only become dangerous when the cloud reaches the ground.
According to meteorological expert Raydel Ruisánchez, the phenomenon was reported around 3:30 p.m. and remained visible for approximately 10 minutes before dissipating, leaving the surface unaffected. The weather that afternoon was characterized by high instability, with showers, rain, and thunderstorms occurring throughout the province, as noted in the report. Specialists advised taking extra precautions and avoiding exposure during thunderstorms.
"We express our gratitude to our colleague Laura Pit for providing the report and image," Ruisánchez emphasized. This sighting of a high-altitude waterspout south of Guanajay, Artemisa, adds to a series of similar occurrences that have astonished Cubans in recent weeks.
Just days before, a waterspout near the Malecón in Havana sparked panic among pedestrians and drivers, who were caught off guard as the phenomenon formed close to the shore. In Artemisa, there have been multiple reports: initially with a waterspout north of Güira de Melena and shortly after in Alquízar, both with no ground impact.
Meteorologists concur that such formations are common during the warm and humid season, when the atmosphere is highly unstable and conducive to convection.
Understanding Waterspouts in Artemisa
What is a high-altitude waterspout?
A high-altitude waterspout, or funnel cloud, is a weather phenomenon that occurs when a rotating column of air forms a funnel shape in the sky, without touching the ground.
How do high-altitude waterspouts differ from tornadoes?
High-altitude waterspouts differ from tornadoes in that they only become tornadoes if the funnel cloud reaches the ground, at which point they can cause damage.
Why are waterspouts common in Artemisa?
Waterspouts are common in Artemisa due to the region's warm and humid climate, which creates atmospheric instability favorable for such formations.