Waterspouts not exclusive to Penang
GEORGE TOWN: Waterspouts have occurred in other states in Malaysia and are not exclusive to Penang, say science experts.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Physics deputy dean Assoc Prof H.S. Lim said waterspouts have been spotted in Sabah, Johor and Pahang in recent years as well.
“Waterspouts can happen when weather conditions are unstable. By examining the water temperature, air temperature and moisture, we can determine the possibility of waterspouts.
“It all depends on the weather in the area as warm and moist air are key to waterspout formation. The warm air that rises rapidly forms lines of towering lower clouds called cumulus cloud,” he said yesterday.
He said it was difficult to predict when a waterspout would occur.
But there were signs that people could look out for when outdoors.
According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, these “signs” include a line of cumulus clouds with a dark, flat base, thunderstorms or a dark spot on the water surface.
USM’s marine biologist Prof Dr Zulfigar Yasin said waterspouts were a natural phenomenon.
But the recent waterspout in Penang was quite unusual as it usually does not occur near land.
“We advise people to be careful and go indoors as soon as possible (when waterspouts emerge),” he said.
He observed that when the Penang waterspout occurred on Monday, people were going outdoors to take photographs and videos to post on social media.
“This is not advisable as you put yourself in harm’s way. It’s important to take shelter as soon as possible,” he said.
When asked to predict the next waterspout, he said it was difficult to do so and that the phenomenon was a result of extreme weather.
A waterspout was seen near the UDA lowcost flats near Tanjung Tokong in Penang on April 1.
Another waterspout was spotted in Penang on Nov 4 last year after a two-hour downpour.
Other waterspout sightings in recent years included one in Balik Pulau near Kampung Perlis and another at Pulau Betong.
Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Datuk Alui Bahari reportedly said a waterspout could occur anywhere near the waters in Malaysia.
He said it is usually formed during the monsoon transition phase, between April and May, and October to November.