HONG KONG — A rare waterspout wowed onlookers in Hong Kong’s bustling Victoria Harbour on Saturday, marking the first time such a phenomenon has been recorded in the area since 1959. The extraordinary sight was captured by a flurry of cameras and quickly shared across social media, with dozens of parents and children at a nearby swimming pool in Hung Hom among those witnessing the spectacle firsthand.
The waterspout, a rotating column of air and water, spun dramatically over the harbour for several minutes before dissipating. The event has prompted renewed curiosity about the nature of waterspouts and their occurrence in Hong Kong.
What is a Waterspout?
A waterspout is a weather phenomenon characterized by a funnel-shaped column of rotating air and water, typically forming over bodies of water. In Chinese, it is poetically referred to as “dragon sucking water.” Despite their tornado-like appearance, waterspouts are generally less intense, although they can still be dangerous.
There are two primary types of waterspouts: tornadic waterspouts, which form from severe thunderstorms, and the more common fair-weather waterspouts, which develop in calm conditions. The latter type usually starts at the surface of the water and extends upward, forming in warm, humid environments.
How Do Waterspouts Form?
Most waterspouts form when the sun heats the water’s surface, causing warm, moist air to rise. In the right conditions, this rising air begins to rotate, creating a visible funnel-shaped cloud. The life cycle of a typical waterspout is short, often lasting fewer than 20 minutes.
While fair-weather waterspouts form at ground level, tornadic waterspouts, like the one observed on Saturday, develop from the base of thunderstorm clouds and extend downward.
What Happened on Saturday?
The waterspout was first sighted around 12:30 p.m., swirling across the harbour from east to west. Videos posted online show the waterspout forming near the Laguna Verde Ocean Vista estate in Hung Hom before rapidly growing in size and moving westward. The waterspout eventually struck a wall near Tai Wan Shan Swimming Pool, where it quickly dissipated.
Hong Kong Observatory radar data indicated the presence of thunderstorm clouds in the area, leading meteorologists to classify the event as a tornadic waterspout. Leung Wing-mo, a former assistant director of the Hong Kong Observatory, noted that while the waterspout was impressive, it was relatively small in size.
How Common Are Waterspouts in Hong Kong?
Although waterspouts are rare in Victoria Harbour, they are not uncommon in other parts of Hong Kong. The Observatory has recorded 44 waterspouts across the territory since 1959, most frequently during the rainy season between May and October. They are typically seen near the city’s smaller islands.
In July 2023, a photographer captured a waterspout near the Soko Islands, and two more were spotted near Cheung Chau in June 2018. However, sightings in the densely populated Victoria Harbour are rare due to its smaller surface area compared to other parts of Hong Kong’s coastal waters.
“It just happened that the thunderstorm cloud that spawned the waterspout passed over the harbour,” said Leung.
Globally, waterspouts are more common in places like the Florida Keys, where over 400 are reported each year.
What Should You Do if a Waterspout Forms Nearby?
If a waterspout develops nearby, experts recommend moving at a 90-degree angle to its path to avoid direct contact. According to the U.S. National Ocean Service, it’s crucial to resist the urge to approach the waterspout for a closer look, as some can be as dangerous as tornadoes.
Leung also urged residents to seek shelter indoors and avoid open spaces if a waterspout is sighted.
Are Waterspouts Dangerous?
While waterspouts are often less destructive than tornadoes, they can still pose serious risks. Wind speeds can reach gale force, making them potentially life-threatening. In April 2019, two fishing boats capsized near Dawanshan Island, off Guangdong province, after being struck by a waterspout, resulting in the deaths of four fishermen.
More recently, British tech tycoon Mike Lynch was killed in August when a superyacht he was aboard was struck by a waterspout in Italy.
Is There a Link to Climate Change?
With global warming driving up ocean temperatures, scientists believe waterspouts could become more frequent. Warmer seas provide the heat and moisture necessary for the formation of waterspouts, especially tornadic ones that develop under thunderstorm clouds.
However, Leung cautioned that it is difficult to predict smaller-scale weather events like waterspouts with current climate models. “These phenomena occur on a much smaller scale than what typical models can effectively analyze,” he explained.
As Hong Kong continues to experience rising temperatures and humidity, the city may see more of these rare but captivating spectacles in the future.
