Video: Twin Waterspouts Swirl Off the Palm Beach Coast

Breathtaking footage shows two waterspouts dancing side by side and intertwining under a dark and menacing sky.

August 22, 2024

Image: screenshot of twin waterspouts coming together and separating off the Atlantic coast in South Florida

Twin waterspouts danced off the Palm Beach coast on the afternoon of Thursday, August 22, 2024. If you look closely, there are actually three waterspouts, as WPLG-TV (Local 10) meteorologist Brandon Orr pointed out in a tweet. Screenshot via @PalmBeachPolice/X

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "22004575",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "22595215",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17482312",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "23181625",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17720761",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

On Thursday afternoon, the Palm Beach Police Department captured on video the astonishing sight of twin waterspouts swirling around one another in a mesmerizing tango off the coast.

Breathtaking footage showed two waterspouts dancing side by side and intertwining under a dark and menacing sky.

🌪️Sometimes we are fortunate enough to see interesting weather from a safe distance. 🌪 #waterspouts pic.twitter.com/aK5dufYfyS
— Palm Beach Police Department (@PalmBeachPolice) August 22, 2024

Around 3 p.m., the National Weather Service (NWS) detected waterspouts near the beachside town of Palm Beach Shores. With winds reaching 40 mph, the NWS issued a Special Marine Warning, alerting coastal areas from Deerfield Beach to Jupiter to steer clear of the hazardous weather.

Dancing twin waterspouts off Palm Beach Island! 🌪️🌪️

📸: Luis Zelaya #FLwx pic.twitter.com/jl3ApVkMPK
— Jennifer Collins 🌤️ (@JenCollinsWx) August 22, 2024

For the uninitiated, waterspouts form over bodies of water, creating a spinning column of air and moisture. Tornadic waterspouts are triggered by thunderstorms and are often accompanied by rough seas, high winds, and lightning.

Capable of capsizing boats and wreaking havoc on the open sea, these visually stunning phenomena aren't at all that uncommon in Florida's warm tropical waters. South Florida and the Florida Keys frequently play host to the spectacle, and when they appear, they're nothing short of awe-inspiring.

A message from News Editor Natasha Yee: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today