CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) – Beachgoers and residents spotted a waterspout in the waters off Clearwater Beach on Monday.

The National Weather Service (NMW) issued a preliminary storm report confirming the funnel cloud touched down in the ocean at around 3:30 p.m.

Clearwater Police and Tom Deegan, via WFLA Report It, shared the below photos of the waterspout.

Video submitted to Nexstar's WFLA showed the waterspout dissipating before it reached the shore.

Clearwater Beach, known for its picturesque white sand, is located west of Tampa.

But what is a waterspout, and what causes them?

According to the NWS, there are two types: fair-weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts.

Tornadic waterspouts are essentially tornadoes that either form over the water, or move from the land to the water

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