A striking waterspout swept across Marbella’s coastal horizon this morning, providing a dramatic display amidst the stormy weather that has gripped Spain’s southern coast. The phenomenon occurred at around 11:00 am, as the province continues to face the impact of a cyclogenesis resulting from an Isolated Cold Drop (Baja Fría Aislada, or BFA).
The severe weather system, affecting much of Málaga province today, has brought heavy rain, thunder, and lightning, in addition to strong winds that have made the coastline particularly volatile. At Málaga airport, gusts were recorded at speeds of up to 45 km/h as the cyclogenesis took hold. Alongside these familiar storm conditions, the formation of a waterspout added an awe-inspiring, yet potentially hazardous element to the day.
What causes a watersprout?
Waterspouts, sometimes called sea tornadoes, are formed when warm, moist air rises swiftly over water, creating a swirling funnel that can reach down to the sea surface. When the change in wind direction across different heights adds rotational force, a distinct waterspout is formed. Though striking in appearance, waterspouts can present significant dangers for boats in their vicinity; however, they rarely make landfall. When they do, their destructive power can resemble that of a small tornado.
A dramatic scene captured on film
🌪️Esta tromba marina se ha dejado ver hace unos minutos en #Marbella 🌧️#DANA #Málaga pic.twitter.com/VJequIKs1H
— Canal Málaga RTV (@CanalMalagaRTV) November 13, 2024
Footage captured this morning shows the waterspout in its full glory—a spiralling column of water and air, towering over the Mediterranean and momentarily stealing the attention of Marbella’s residents. These dramatic scenes are a reminder of the forces at play during intense weather systems like the BFA.
A mesmerising but dangerous phenomenon
While similar in structure to dust devils often seen on beaches, waterspouts are considerably more powerful and mesmerising. Authorities have advised caution to maritime traffic along the coast, underlining the unpredictability of such weather events as the province remains on alert for further storm activity throughout the day.