Waterspouts are fairly common off Pensacola and Pensacola Beach, especially from late spring through early fall (roughly May–October), when the Gulf is very warm and humid air supports quick-forming showers. They’re most often seen in the morning or around developing storms and usually stay over water.

Today, September 7: a waterspout was photographed near Portofino on Pensacola Beach, with another reported near Navarre—good reminder that they can pop up locally in this pattern. WEAR report

Most are “fair-weather” waterspouts and relatively short-lived, but treat every one seriously: get off the water, head indoors or toward shore, and don’t try to approach it. If it moves ashore, it can behave like a weak tornado. With today’s heat index potentially near 105°F, storm development is possible as well.