July ‘26 obs

[Coach McGuirk]

That is a legitimate question. 

[GaWx]

1 hour ago, Coach McGuirk said:

Little to know damage was reported, it traversed the James River. But a super sweet pic.  Since it was associated with a large thunderstorm but never hit land, does it not count as a tornado?

I think it is counted as a “tornadic waterspout”.

[Coach McGuirk]

28 minutes ago, GaWx said:

I think it is counted as a “tornadic waterspout”.

That is literally the most idiotic answer ever.  I want an answer from Wakefield NWS and they won't answer either. 

[GaWx]

46 minutes ago, Coach McGuirk said:

That is literally the most idiotic answer ever.  I want an answer from Wakefield NWS and they won't answer either. 

"Tornadic waterspouts", also accurately referred to as "tornadoes over water", are formed from mesocyclones in a manner essentially identical to land-based tornadoes in connection with severe thunderstorms, but simply occurring over water.[22] A tornado which travels from land to a body of water would also be considered a tornadic waterspout.[23] Since the vast majority of mesocyclonic thunderstorms in the United States occur in land-locked areas, true tornadic waterspouts are correspondingly rarer than their fair-weather counterparts in that country.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterspout

[Coach McGuirk]

21 minutes ago, GaWx said:

"Tornadic waterspouts", also accurately referred to as "tornadoes over water", are formed from mesocyclones in a manner essentially identical to land-based tornadoes in connection with severe thunderstorms, but simply occurring over water.[22] A tornado which travels from land to a body of water would also be considered a tornadic waterspout.[23] Since the vast majority of mesocyclonic thunderstorms in the United States occur in land-locked areas, true tornadic waterspouts are correspondingly rarer than their fair-weather counterparts in that country.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterspout

The supercell started in Richmond, VA. Dropped a tornado on the James river.  Could have been anywhere. 

[GaWx]

12 minutes ago, Coach McGuirk said:

The supercell started in Richmond, VA. Dropped a tornado on the James river.  Could have been anywhere. 

Tornadic waterspout is the answer:

A tornadic waterspout is a true tornado that forms over water or moves from land to water. It develops downward from a severe thunderstorm, bringing high winds, large hail, and lightning. [1, 2, 3]

[Coach McGuirk]

11 minutes ago, GaWx said:

Tornadic waterspout is the answer:

A tornadic waterspout is a true tornado that forms over water or moves from land to water. It develops downward from a severe thunderstorm, bringing high winds, large hail, and lightning. [1, 2, 3]

Thanks.  It has to be rare.