Weather agency explains recent weather phenomenon on Lake Bunyonyi

By George Mangula

The Uganda National Meteorological Authority ( UNMA) which tracks weather records in the country has explained the recent weather phenomenon that took place on Uganda deepest lake-Lake Bunyonyi found in south western Uganda.

While speaking to the media at the Uganda Media Centre, George William Omwony, a meteorologist with UNMA, said what happened on the lake on January 21, 2019 was none other than a waterspout, and not a tornado as some members of the public were claiming.

In a recent video clip circulated widely on social media, a waterspout was seen on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi during a heavy downpour. The video left many in shock and anxiety amid speculation of what might have caused the previously unseen occurrence raising more fears about climate change and its effects.

“A waterspout is a small diameter column of rapidly swirling air in contact with a water surface and are closely related to other atmospheric phenomenon such as a tornado,” he said.

Mr. Omwony said the common weather phenomenon include wind, cloud, rain, snow, fog and dust storms. Less common events include natural disasters such as waterspouts, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons and ice storms.

He said an average waterspout would be around 50 meters in diameter and that it’s associated wind and moves at an average speed of about 40-50 miles an hour (64-80 Km/hr).

He said the lifespan of a typical waterspout on average lasts 5-10 minutes though he said occasionally a large waterspout may persist for up to one hour.

A waterspout is more than likely to stay on the water and be typically harmless. However, sometimes a waterspout may transcend over to land & turn into a full scale tornado that can run havoc on lives and property.