The registered tornado outbreaks are becoming more frequent because of the climate change due to the rising temperature of the sea surface on the one hand and of the greater opportunity for observing the phenomenon via mobile phones, cameras and Internet stations for real-time recording on the other.
A tornado is a strong atmospheric vortex that rotates around a vertical or inclined axis at a speed greater than 120 km/h and which is in contact with the ground and a cumulonimbus cloud. Tornado outbreaks have been recorded in all countries of the world except Antarctica, and in Greece they are registered and analyzed by meteorologist Michalis Sioutas, aka "the Greek storm chaser," who has explored the phenomenon for 15 years. In Greece, every year, there are 40 days with tornados on average.
Two waterspouts occurred on Sunday near Mount Athos, east of "Megisti Lavra" monastery, and frightened the monks. They rushed into the church to pray and monk Theologos alone remained on the balcony to take photos of the phenomenon.
Before the first tornado completely disappeared, another one occurred in the area, west of the first, lifting into the air large amounts of water.
"The view was impressive. We were afraid that it might come to the monastery and did not know what would be the consequences of something similar", say the monks from Mount Athos.
Scientists explain that the tornado is a common phenomenon, especially in summer in northern Greece.
"The waterspout occurs all year round but more often in September and October, and when it is so far from the land people should not be afraid of it", Michalis Sioutas tells "Ethnos" newspaper.
Moreover, the scientist reveals that the phenomenon occurs more often in Greece than in other European countries. Tornados often occur in northern Greece in summer and autumn and in the southern part of the country, mainly near the northwestern Peloponnese, in winter.
"People should not associate the tornado they see here with that in the United States. Here it is also dangerous and could kill but generally it occurs on a smaller scale", reassures Michalis Sioutas.
As for the two tornadoes that occurred in the region of Mount Athos, near "Megisti Lavra" monastery, he states that, during the summer months, it is common to observe 'tornado families'. Although the sea tornado is not as powerful as that on the land it can destroy vessels and if it reaches the land it could cause unpredictable damage. For example, in February 2004, a waterspout reached the shore of Methoni village in Pieria and lifted up into the air a boat that hit and killed on the spot a 10-year-old boy who was playing in the sand with friends.
According to Michalis Sioutas, over 12 waterspouts have occurred in Greece in recent days, the last two being the ones near Mount Athos. Previously, the occurrence of tornadoes was registered in Leptokaria, Pieria, between Skiathos and Skopelos islands, near Lemnos island, in Lavrion, near Corfu island and the city of Heraklion in Crete.
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