BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The atmosphere is "primed" to create more of the relatively uncommon type of waterspout that dazzled some Brevard County residents Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
The spout formed around 5:25 p.m. in the Indian River Lagoon north of State Road 528 and lasted for about 10 minutes, causing no damage or injuries, News 6 partner Florida Today reported.
Dramatic photos and videos captured the funnel connecting a churning “spray ring” on the water — indicating winds of 50 to 60 mph — up to the base of a low, dark cloud.
“It was a beautifully well-formed, well-developed waterspout,” said Will Ulrich, a forecaster with the weather service in Melbourne.
Waterspouts are more typically spun off from tornadic activity during thunderstorms.
Wednesday's event was known as a "fair weather" waterspout, which can form as low-level sea breeze boundaries collide when winds are very light and the atmosphere is moist.
Similar conditions are expected today and over the next few days.
"They don’t occur often, but this is the time of year when they would occur," said Ulrich. "The atmosphere is primed for it to happen."
The weather service received a surge of calls Wednesday from trained spotters, and images have been shared widely on social media. The spout was most widely seen from Merritt Island and the State Road 528 and 520 causeways.
"It made for some very picturesque photos," said Ulrich. "There was a lot of excitement around it."
Waterspouts can be dangerous, packing winds up to 80 mph, but Wednesday's fortunately did not make landfall or threaten any boaters.
"It does pose a significant threat to marine safety, especially because the strong winds can capsize a vessel," said Ulrich.
Mariners in the vicinity of a waterspout are advised to steer clear of it by moving at a 90-degree angle from the direction the spout is traveling.
Contact Dean at 321-242-3668 or jdean@floridatoday.com. And follow on Twitter at @flatoday_jdean and on Facebook at facebook.com/jamesdeanspace.