Waterspout — Straits of Florida From West End of Seven Mile Bridge To South of Halfmoon Shoal Out 20 Nm, Gulf of Mexico

2023-07-12 · near American Shoal Light, Straits of Florida From West End of Seven Mile Bridge To South of Halfmoon Shoal Out 20 Nm, Gulf of Mexico

Event narrative

A narrow, vertical waterspout was observed via WFO Key West webcams over the Straits of Florida south-southeast of Key West. The condensation cloud extended about one quarter the way from cloud base to the water surface, and no spray ring was visible. The waterspout moved toward the northwest around 10 knots.

Wider weather episode

Deep ridging overhead the Florida Keys resulted in weak, backing northeast to east lower tropospheric flow. Despite relatively low convective coverage for July, a few waterspouts formed in association with isolated morning showers as well as a lee convective cloud line near the Lower Florida Keys.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (24.4300, -81.6900)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1125026. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.