The second most active area is along the southeast Florida coast from Stuart to Homestead. Both concluded that waterspout activity rises sharply in late April to mid-May, reaches a relative maximum in June, then falls in July before reaching its primary peak in August. The activity remains high in September before sharply decreasing in October. Clemons found that the maximum waterspout activity in the Lower Keys is during the noon hour with a secondary maximum during the late afternoon. Only about 5 percent of waterspouts occur in isolated cumulus clouds.
Most waterspouts occur during times of benign weather and tend to occur on successive days.
Clemons found that two to three days in a row with waterspout formation is common with the maximum of six consecutive days in June of 1968. The purpose of developing a forecasting scheme is to try to determine days which are more favorable for waterspout formation. Using the studies on waterspout climatology by Clemons, Gerrish, and Golden, a simple forecasting worksheet was produced. The forecasting sheet weighted certain wind directions and speeds higher than others. These mean wind speed and direction calculations were then figured into a simple calculation sheet to determine the waterspout potential.