Waterspout Chase on January 11, 2001

All photos copyrighted by Dave Chapman

Summary: A short chase to look for waterspouts off Newport Beach, California. Surface winds of 20 mph from the east, strong upper level winds from the northwest and cool air aloft created favorable conditions.

3:15 pm -- Newport Harbor: View of offshore convection as I cross the ferry from Balboa Island to Balboa Peninsula. This is after a grueling 5 minute drive from my office.

3:20 pm -- Balboa Beach: As I start out the Balboa Pier, this is the view towards the east.

3:22 pm -- Balboa Pier: View looking north as I walk on the pier.

3:25 pm -- Balboa Pier: Funnel cloud about 200 feet from the end of the pier. This produced a brief waterspout (actually in this photo, but poor contrast makes it difficult to see).

3:25 pm -- Balboa Pier: Another view of funnel cloud.

3:30 pm -- Balboa Pier: View of second waterspout, located about 300 feet from the end of the pier.

3:32 pm -- Balboa Pier: Another view of waterspout, just before it dissipates.

Dave Chapman's Storm Chasing and Outdoor Photo Galleries