Two waterspouts simultaneously off the coast of Cyprus. Incredible footage from Pomos.

Two waterspouts appeared simultaneously over the sea in the Pomos area of Paphos. The phenomenon was recorded on Sunday, October 4, during stormy weather in Cyprus. In some of the recordings, a rainbow is visible alongside the vortices.

A yellow warning for severe thunderstorms was in effect for the island on Sunday. Accompanying rainfall, hail, and increasing winds could create hazardous conditions. Available reports of the waterspouts in Pomos did not indicate any damage or landfall.

Two waterspouts in Cyprus caught on film

Two distinct funnels were visible over the sea, reaching from the cloud base towards the water's surface. They could be observed from the coast of Pomos, a town located in the northwest of the island.

Footage quickly appeared on Cypriot media and social media sites. Particular attention was drawn to the simultaneous occurrence of two vortices and a rainbow visible in the same setting.

The video below shows the phenomenon recorded off the coast of Pomos.

What is a waterspout?

A waterspout is a swirling column of air and water mist that forms over a body of water. It's also commonly called a water tornado, but not all waterspouts are created equally.

Meteorologists distinguish between tornadoes associated with severe thunderstorms and those that develop in calmer conditions, beneath cumulus clouds. The former have characteristics similar to land-based tornadoes. The latter typically form with light winds and move very little.

The mere appearance of the funnel in the video doesn't allow for a reliable determination of the type of phenomenon. Therefore, in the case of Pomos, its classification should not be determined solely based on the footage.

Sunday evening in Larnaca

Pomos wasn't the only place where residents posted footage of Sunday's weather. We're also including footage from the evening in Larnaca in our report from the island.

This is a separate video from a different part of Cyprus – it helps to complete the picture of the day, during which conditions clearly differed between different locations.

A spectacular phenomenon that should not be approached

Waterspouts may only last a few minutes, but they pose a threat to those at sea. Small boats and other vessels close to the vortex are particularly vulnerable.

NOAA, the US agency that studies oceans and atmosphere, recommends moving away at right angles to the direction of the waterspout's movement. Avoid approaching it to take photos or videos.

Some eddies can cause damage even after reaching shore. Therefore, their striking appearance does not necessarily mean they are safe to observe from a short distance.

Stormy Sunday on the island

The October 4 weather warning was in effect from 3:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It included localized severe thunderstorms, with rainfall exceeding 35 millimeters per hour. Hail and sudden gusty winds were also possible.

Footage from Pomos shows how unusual phenomena can accompany unstable weather over the Mediterranean. When observing them, maintaining a safe distance and following current weather reports are paramount.

Sources: Cyprus Mail; Philenews; Pafos Press; NOAA.