A tornado, or waterspout, was spotted over Lake Constance on July 29th early in the morning, swirling near Friedrichshafen and visible from multiple locations on the German and Swiss shores, as well as from Vorarlberg in Austria. The waterspout extended about 800 meters (2,625 feet) high with a diameter around 50 meters (164 feet). Lasting roughly an hour, the event caused no reported damage.
Waterspouts form when warm water, cold air aloft, and light or shifting winds create an unstable atmosphere. Warm, moist air rises, condenses into clouds, and can begin to rotate under the right wind conditions. This rotation stretches upward into a visible funnel, often pulling water from the lake surface.
Lake Constance typically sees two to three waterspouts per year due to its large size and weather patterns. Recent lake-effect showers brought local rainfall of up to 100 millimeters (4 inches) across the area, fueling the storm activity. Authorities warn small boats and swimmers to avoid such waterspouts, though larger ships can usually navigate safely around them.
