An intense storm cell developed off Blacksmiths Beach south of Newcastle this afternoon at around 2:30pm. This cell produced an impressive water spout seen by many.
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Conditions have been perfect for water spout formation during the past week.
Ocean sea surface temperatures are very warm and winds have been very light.
We have an unstable atmosphere which means the upper levels are quite cold and this atmospheric set up as made for some spectacular cumulus and cumulonimbus cloud formations, towering over head especially near the coast.
These tall clouds are generated by powerful updrafts of warm moist air shooting high into the troposphere. The fast moving rising air can start to rotate quickly.
The fast moving air at the base, moving over the water, generates a mist that is drawn into the column of rising air causing whole event to become visible creating a spectacular outcome.
Water spouts are usually not as powerful as their land based cousins but when they do cross the coast at full strength they can cause serious damage.
