Waterspouts are weak tornadoes that form over warm water. Waterspouts are most common along the Gulf Coast and southeastern states. Waterspouts occasionally move inland, becoming tornadoes causing damage and injuries. Some tornadoes appear as a visible funnel extending only partially to the ground. Look for signs of debris below the visible funnel.
Some tornadoes are clearly visible while others are obscured by rain or nearby low-hanging clouds.
Tornadoes can happen any time of the year and any time of day. May. Peak times for tornadoes in the northern states are during the summer. A few southern states have a second peak time for tornado outbreaks in the fall. Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Flash floods, lightning, damaging straight-line winds, and large hail.