A waterspout formed offshore from Taghazout beach in recent hours, Morocco’s national meteorological service said, after widely shared social media images prompted questions and online claims that the phenomenon marked the arrival of storm Francis.
The General Directorate of National Meteorology said the rotating air column was observed during atmospheric instability linked to a deep Atlantic low pressure system influenced by storm Francis.
It said the combination of cold air aloft and relatively warm Atlantic water temperatures can fuel strong thunderstorm clouds, creating favorable conditions for waterspout formation.
A waterspout is a rotating funnel that connects the sea surface to a storm cloud, the meteorological service said. It is generally less violent than a land tornado and typically short lived, rarely lasting more than about 30 minutes, but it can still pose risks to boats and coastal water activities, according to the same explanation.
Meteorologists said the appearance of such phenomena during marked disturbances is a reminder to use caution at sea and along the coast.
They also described waterspouts as an indicator that can help improve understanding of local atmospheric mechanisms and support stronger prevention measures in coastal areas.
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