Florida is considered the thunderstorm capitol of the United States with areas of west-central Florida near Tampa having the highest frequency of days per year with thunderstorms. Lightning is also a hazard for boaters. There are no warnings for lightning issued by the National Weather Service but products such as the short term forecast and marine weather statements mention the possibility of cloud to water lightning strikes. Florida is also considered the lightning capitol of the United States. Since lightning is produced by thunderstorms, Florida usually leads the nation in lightning related deaths and injuries and many of these occur over the water.
Waterspouts are similar to tornadoes over water.
Waterspouts are generally broken into two categories, fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts. Tornadic waterspouts are simply tornadoes which form over water and they have the same characteristics as tornadoes over land. Fair weather waterspouts form differently from tornadic waterspouts and are usually less dangerous. The term fair weather comes from the fact that these type of waterspouts form during fair and relatively calm weather. Fair weather waterspouts usually form along the base of a line of developing cumulus clouds and rainshowers.