Did you see something unusual in the sky near East Coast Park this afternoon?
Many residents in the eastern side of Singapore shared photos on social media, with some of them saying that they had spotted a tornado.
What they saw is most likely a waterspout, a weather phenomenon that occurs about three times every year over Singapore waters, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
Compared to tornadoes, waterspouts are generally weaker and not as destructive.
A waterspout is usually observed during thunderstorms, where a column of water is sucked towards the base of the clouds due to lower pressure conditions under the clouds.
The whirling mass becomes visible as the air rotates and rises while the humid air cools and vapour condenses.
NEA said that the speed of a waterspout can reach up to 28km/h, but it is generally short-lived as it usually dissipates rapidly upon reaching the shore.
minlee@sph.com.sg
