Islanders were whipped into a frenzy last night after dramatic footage of a swirling column of cloud over the sea was shared widely on social media.
But while the skies certainly put on a show, Jersey Met said the island didn’t quite enter “Twister” territory.
After reviewing the video, Jersey Met forecaster Enzo Davy said the weather phenomenon was likely to be a funnel cloud.
What is the funnel phenomenon?
A funnel cloud is a rotating cone of condensed water vapour that doesn’t touch the ground.
Meanwhile, funnels that dip down to meet the sea surface gain a new name entirely: a waterspout.
So… what would have made it a tornado?
A “tornado is a violently rotating column of air stretching from a cumulonimbus cloud to the ground”, according to Mr Davy.
He added that there were no reports of the formation crossing land, so it doesn’t qualify for the “twister” label.
Wild weather to continue
The unusual weather phenomenon was spotted while the Island dealt with a wave of difficult weather.
Hailstorms closed the Airport runway yesterday, and one flight was delayed by as much as seven hours.
Meanwhile, this morning forecasters warned about high tides along with large waves and strong winds which they said will lead to waves and debris coming over sea walls this evening and tomorrow morning.
An Orange Tide Warning has been issued for this evening’s high tide at 6.35pm, which may lead to some flooding.
On Saturday morning, the risk level has been elevated to ‘red’ for the high tide at 6.54am on Saturday morning, with warnings of large waves potentially coming over sea walls along Jersey’s south, east and west coasts, with the potential for some coastal roads to be closed.
Senior Forecaster, John Searson commented: “Care should be taken for the period around an hour or so before, and after the high tides, avoiding coastal areas where seawater and debris will be coming over sea walls. We are expecting disruption both this evening and again tomorrow morning.”