Marek Kučera 
On the afternoon of Sunday, July 6, 2025, a tornado was observed over the IJsselmeer near Enkhuizen in Noord-Holland, Netherlands. The phenomenon occurred around 16:30 UTC and was captured on photo and video, quickly spreading across social media. The event has been confirmed by reliable observers, including Bas van der Ploeg, a voluntary meteorological observer, and is categorized as a waterspout due to its formation over a large body of water.
Eyewitness Christiaan de Vries documented the tornado from the shoreline, and his photos clearly show the column of rotating air reaching from the clouds to the lake surface. The tornado was likely non-supercellular in nature, which is typical for waterspouts in this region, especially during humid and unstable summer afternoons.
Though no damage was reported, the spectacle serves as a stark reminder of the power of localized convective storms even in areas not commonly associated with such extremes. The Netherlands, though mostly flat and temperate, has seen an increasing frequency of localized severe weather in recent years, including tornadoes, downbursts, and hailstorms, often associated with summer instability near large water bodies.
Meteorological agencies have taken note of the event, and storm spotter networks such as MeteoNetwork Pretemp have catalogued it as a QC1 verified tornado report.
Tornado Events in the Netherlands: A Rising Trend?
While tornadoes in the Netherlands are rare compared to regions like the US Midwest, climatological studies suggest that the frequency of waterspouts and landspouts may be on the rise due to shifts in humidity and wind shear conditions caused by climate change. Tornadoes over water, like this one, pose a serious risk to boaters, fishermen, and lakeside recreation.
Safety Reminder
Even if weak in comparison to tornadoes on land, waterspouts can become dangerous if they make landfall or come into contact with vessels. Residents and visitors are advised to monitor weather alerts, especially during unstable summer days, and report any sightings to meteorological authorities.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=773771261881822&set=a.162353136356974
