Funnel cloud appears off Hayman
A PHOTO of what looks like a tornado off Hayman Island posted online has captured the attention of Whitsunday residents.
Posted by Georgie Amos to the Oz Cyclone Chasers Facebook page, the caption read "Tornado off of Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island".
Senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, Brett Harrison said what was in the image was "definitely a funnel cloud" but he could not confirm if it was a water spout or tornado.
"(A tornado) will occur when we have thunderstorm activity," he said.
"We need cumulonimbus clouds and then we need strong winds from the base of the cloud.
"Generally, we need it to be a super cell thunderstorm."
But the chance of a tornado forming in the region is "uncommon" Mr Harrison said.
Mr Harrison thought the phenomenon pictured could also be a water spout, which aren't as strong and do not need thunderstorms to form.
"They can occur in more shower like type conditions," he said.
There's no reason to fear though, with Mr Harrison believing whatever it was, the funnel cloud would have disappeared by now.
