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A tornado is generally worse. Fair-weather waterspouts, the most common variety, typically have winds equivalent to an EF0 tornado. Even then it doesn't make much a difference, since these waterspouts usually stay over open water and never cause any damage, though they can pose a hazard to small boats. If a waterspout moves onto land and causes damage, it is counter as a tornado.
There are exceptions, however. Tornadic waterspouts are ordinary tornadoes that just happen to be over water. If one moves onto land it will become a full-fledged tornado and can be just as damaging as a tornado that originates on land.
One of the worst cases was the Sandusky/Lorain tornado of June 28, 1924. This F4 tornado spent some time as a waterspout on Sandusky Bay and later on Lake Erie. During its time on land it devastated the cities of Lorain and Sandusky, killing 85 people. This marks it as the deadliest tornado in Ohio history.
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Where is a tornado called a waterspout?
A tornado is called a waterspout anywhere that it forms on water.
What do you call a tornado that forms over a calm sea?
A tornado on water is called a waterspout.
What is the name given to a tornado over open water?
A tornado that forms on a lake or sea is called a waterspout.
What is a synonym for waterspout?
A synonym for waterspout would be tornado.
What is a synonym for tornado?
waterspout
What do you call a tornado on the ocean?
A tornado on water is called a waterspout.
What does the word waterspout mean?
Usually the term waterspout refers to a tornado on a body of water.
Can a waterspout destroy a beach house?
Well, yes and no. If the waterspout comes ashore and hits the beach house, it can destroy it. But if the waterspout comes ashore, it is no longer a waterspout - it is a tornado.
What do you call a tornado over a body of water?
A tornado over water is called a waterspout.
What tornado develops om the surface of oceans?
A tornado on a body of water is called a waterspout.
It can change into a water spout?
A tornado that moves onto water becomes a waterspout.
What is the name of the tornado in Tenerife?
The tornado (or more properly, waterspout) was not given a name as tornadoes are not named.
