Waterspout — Gulf of Mexico From West End of Seven Mile Bridge To Halfmoon Shoal Out To 5 Fathoms, Gulf of Mexico

2023-09-08 · near Key West, Gulf of Mexico From West End of Seven Mile Bridge To Halfmoon Shoal Out To 5 Fathoms, Gulf of Mexico

Event narrative

A family of four waterspouts was observed north of Key West by NWS employees and the contract weather observer at NAS Key West Boca Chica Field. Two spray rings were observed via the NWS rooftop cameras. One waterspout consisted of a very narrow, nearly-vertical condensation cloud extending almost completely from the cloud base to the surface. The second waterspout was very wide with its condensation cloud extending about one-quarter the way from cloud base. The remaining two waterspouts were nearly vertical, very narrow, with condensation clouds not extending very far from cloud base. The waterspouts moved toward the west around 5 knots.

Wider weather episode

A convective cloud line developed over and just north of the Lower Florida Keys, producing a family of waterspouts and one strong thunderstorm.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (24.6400, -81.7900)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1142248. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.