Home / Weather News /

Amid thunderstorms: Multiple waterspouts spotted in Turkey

15:00
3 October 2023

Amid thunderstorms
Multiple waterspouts spotted in Turkey

Settings for external content

Privacy policy

Heavy thunderstorms swept over the northwestern Mediterranean near Turkey on Saturday, producing several waterspouts, at one point as many as five at once.

The thunderstorms passed over the Gulf of Iskenderun, the Mediterranean's northeastern most bay, among others, over 100 kilometres northeast of Cyprus and close to the Turkish city of İskenderun.

While impressive to look at, the waterspouts did not make landfall or cause any damage on the water.

WeatherRadar showing thunderstorms over TurkeyTurkey's WeatherRadar on Sunday afternoon shows how the thunderstorms persisted across the weekend.

The waterspouts were triggered by a weak low pressure area near Turkey, which remained active into Monday. The somewhat fresh upper air and relatively warm sea water further promoted the formation of showers.

A waterspout is nothing but a tornado over the sea or lakes. Snake-shaped whirlwinds form from powerful showers and thunderstorms.

When the snake-shaped trunk manages to reach the water surface, it is truly a waterspout. The funnel-shaped 'vortex' then sucks up the water.

In Europe, waterspouts can be observed mainly in late summer and autumn on the coasts and over larger inland waters.

This is when relatively cold air flows over the still warm water. The large temperature difference easily causes heavy rain and thunderstorms.

While the phenomena can be awe-inspiring, they are also short lasting with a typical lifespan ranging from a few seconds to over 10 minutes.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Split weather map showing the UK and Ireland: the left side displays widespread rain and showers, with temperatures between 16°C and 19°C, while the right side shows wind speeds, strongest in southern England with gusts reaching 45 mph near London. Two warning symbols in the centre highlight risks of thunderstorms and strong winds.
Tuesday 2 September 2025

Warnings active

Stormy Wednesday ahead
Weather map showing the UK and Ireland with a band of heavy rain and showers stretching from Scotland down through Liverpool, Cardiff, and into southern England. A thunderstorm symbol is marked over north-east England. Temperatures range from 16°C in Glasgow to 21°C in London, with warmer conditions on the continent reaching 28°C in Brussels. Clearer, sunnier skies are shown over eastern England and mainland Europe.
Wednesday 27 August 2025

Front on the move

Rain pushing east, risk of thunderstorms
The image is split into two scenes: on the left, dark grey storm clouds loom heavily over rooftops of brick houses, creating a dramatic sky; on the right, large clouds stretch across a calmer evening sky above the sea, with silhouettes of offshore wind turbines visible on the horizon.
Sunday 31 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Unsettled week with plenty to snap
All weather news
This might also interest you
Friday 22 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Sunny start for some, overcast later
Friday 15 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Split with cooler north, hot south
Mammatus clouds
Thursday 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement