A waterspout is a column of air mixed with water rotating over a body of water, forming a small tornado. This impressive phenomenon is rather rare but it has been spotted twice in Portugal: in Sesimbra and in Viana do Castelo. The images of these waterspouts toured social networks. Although the phenomenon is not usual, IPMA (Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere) had warned of their possible arrival. Lisbob, the expatriate assistant in Portugal, tells you all about these waterspouts.
Impressive waterspouts in Sesimbra and Viana do Castelo
The inhabitants of Viana do Castelo and Sesimbra were, in the afternoon of Thursday, surprised by a tornado in the sea, or rather, a jet of water.
On social networks, several Internet users have shared photos and videos of the meteorological phenomenon, both beautiful and frightening.
The images were then shared on the Facebook page of Meteo Trás-os-Montes.
The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) had already warned that there was a possibility that such phenomena would form on Thursday.
Although impressive, all the waterspouts that have appeared in Portugal in recent years are "harmless" because they dissipate in the sea and never reach the population.
It is perhaps for this reason that the Republican National Guard and the Public Security Police did not report any type of incident. The harbor master of Setúbal also received no indication.
