Tornadic waterspout during strong lightning storm in Italy

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While seeking Perseid meteors, Olivier Staiger found tornadic waterspout!

This incredible night thunderstorm was captured east of Cattolica, Italy off the Adriatic Sea on August 10, 2016.

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Francesco Gennari

Olivier Staiger explains: Wednesday, August 10th, 2016, I drove about 700km in the afternoon from Switzerland to Italy to chase a rare potential situation for waterspouts with Perseid meteors in the Adriatic Sea.

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Francesco Gennari

He then spent 5 hours patiently observing the line of showers and storms that slowly cranked up north and east of Cattolica, seeing several Perseids every now and then above the clouds and/or in other directions.

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Francesco Gennari

Finally at 03.43 AM August 11th local time BRIGHT lightning briefly revealed a large waterspout under a storm to the north out at sea.

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Francesco Gennari

It was visible for a few minutes and only when occasional lightning illuminated the dark scene.

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Francesco Gennari

Tornadic waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water, or move from land to water.

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Francesco Gennari

They have the same characteristics as a land tornado.

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Francesco Gennari

These waterspouts are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning.

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