An amazing video of a massive Fremantle waterspout has gone viral this week.
The rare phenomenon was seen travelling north to south just off Perth’s Indian Ocean coast and was recorded on social media by dozens of people.
Video: Waterspout seen from Rottnest Express
The waterspout was seen by hundreds of people on the coast, and was also filmed from several vantage points, including by tourists at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour.
@TheWAWG @weather_wa @cneilb pic.twitter.com/qKR5elcLS1
— lewis (@lusheslewis) August 29, 2015
This Ocean waterspout footage was taken by Rottnest Express ferry employee Luke McEwan on a return trip.
“It moved with incredible speed from Carnac to beyond Freo in less than five minutes,” McEwan told PerthNow
“It was beautiful to see.”
“We live in such a wonderful place where it’s easy to witness and enjoy the changing environment,” Luke said.
According to the US Weather Service, Waterspouts are similar to tornadoes over water. Waterspouts are generally broken into two categories: fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts.
Tornadic waterspouts are simply tornadoes that form over water, or move from land to water. They have the same characteristics as a land tornado. They are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning.
Fair Weather waterspouts are usually a less dangerous phenomena.
This waterspout appears to have been of little danger to people.
The storm to ruin a glorious week is rolling in. This water spout was spotted on the horizon off City Beach. pic.twitter.com/Zdumygi9SN
— Surf Life Saving WA (@SLSWA) August 29, 2015
Water spout heading towards #Fremantle. @TheWAWG @perthnow @TenNewsPerth @weather_wa @WestAustralia @perthweather pic.twitter.com/bia5fONtxW
— Jo (@josmith_perth) August 29, 2015
#waterspout over #Fremantle this morning! #PerthNews #PerthWeather #Tornado #fremantlesearescue pic.twitter.com/h4sHfCiutb
— Fremantle Sea Rescue (@FreoSeaRescue) August 29, 2015
Video : Fremantle waterspout seen from the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour.
