A LARGE waterspout forming off the ocean and travelling along the coast towards Stockton beach amazed many residents last night.
About 7.45pm the Newcastle Herald received calls from excited residents who captured the spectacular sight.
Elliot Swift, 16, was on his balcony in Merewether when he noticed the waterspout emerge over Christ Church Cathedral.
‘‘It travelled to the left and then retracted into space, it probably lasted about five to six minutes,’’ he said.
Graham Bird, of The Hill, said it appeared to hover across Stockton.
‘‘You could see it stirring up water and then see it stirring up the sand along the beach,’’ he said.
Weatherwatch chief meteorologist Anthony Cornelius said it was possible the waterspout was, in fact, a tornado: ‘‘They’re very similar, and technically a waterspout is a tornado.’’
Picture submitted by Kai Cooling. Do you have a picture? Send it to news@theherald.com.au
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