Screenshot via @PalmBeachPolice/X
Audio By Carbonatix
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.
🌪ï¸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! 🌪ï¸ðŸŒªï¸
📸: Luis Zelaya #FLwx pic.twitter.com/jl3ApVkMPK
— Jennifer Collins ðŸŒ¤ï¸ (@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.