Boaties in the Whitsundays have captured spectacular images of two waterspouts forming off Airlie Beach around dawn yesterday morning.
The spouts formed off the coast, on the eastern side of Hook Island, about 6am.
Meteorologist Steve Hadley said it was a weather event few people experienced.
"It's rare to see one, rarer still to see two but that will sometimes happen," Mr Hadley said.
"They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, with often quite thin features, and often quite transient as well.
"They may only last a few minutes but if the right setup is in place, then potentially you can see one followed by another.
"They do sometimes form along the Queensland and New South Wales coast, particularly during the autumn and winter months when there's a big contrast between the temperatures on land and the temperatures at sea."
What causes waterspouts?
Mr Hadley said waterspouts typically form when winds coming from opposite directions collide.
"You get a line where the winds are shearing in different directions and then you need some kind of upwards motions.
"That's usually from clouds that form, which draw up the air from the areas below."
Mr Hadley said waterspouts don't pose the danger of their cousins, tornadoes, but urged caution if people come across one (or two).
"In the middle of that waterspout, you've got a really fast rotating column of air and that can cause some damage if you're out on the water.
"It's probably better that you stay clear of it, rather than going towards it if you do see one."
