Rare Weather Phenomenon: Twin Waterspouts Merge Off Italy's Eastern Coast
Boat operator captures spectacular double waterspout merging near Po Delta
TwitterA rare and striking natural event occurred off Italy’s eastern coast as two massive waterspouts formed and merged over the Adriatic Sea near the Po Delta, driven by unusually strong winds in the area. The twin vortices captivated onlookers along the shoreline with their dramatic display.
A local tour boat operator, who happened to be at sea with a group of visitors, spotted the unusual weather formation in its early stages. He made the decision to halt the excursion temporarily in order to document the phenomenon. According to him, such a sight is exceptionally rare - even in the wind-prone Po River delta region.
Waterspouts are powerful columns of rotating air that resemble tornadoes but form over bodies of water, including seas, lakes, or wide rivers. They are typically short-lived but can pose serious hazards to boats caught in their path.
According to the European Severe Weather Database, approximately 500 waterspouts are recorded annually across Europe, most frequently over the Mediterranean Sea and nearby regions. However, the merging of two waterspouts into a single vortex is considered an exceptional and visually dramatic occurrence.
Watch the rare footage of this extraordinary weather event.