The Nire Valley
The Heart of the Comeragh Mountains.
Monday, 16 May 2011
A Twister in the Comeraghs.
Yes a twister! a real bona fide tornado. On Sunday 8th May sitting having lunch at Coum Locha, it was blustery but we were comfortable surrounded by heather. Then out of nowhere there seemed to be a splash in the lake except instead of being in the one place the "splash" raced across the lake surface as if someone was pulling an invisible stick through the water. It was a tiny tornado. Unusual you may think but the locals have a name for it, a Shee Gaoithe or a ghost wind. A Shee Gaoithe is more commonly seen in summer as it lifts wisps of hay into to the air on an August evening. We we are not in Kansas now Dorthea, but the twisters do happen in the Nire also.
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I used to see them while sailing on Carlingford Lough, many years ago, where they locals call them 'Kettles' amazing sights. I've also seen them in other mountain lakes, but never in the Comeraghs. It's a phenomena caused by strong wind rushing down mountain sides at high speed, it is then influenced by the side walls of the corrie resulting in mini tornado's.
ReplyDeleteAny photos?
Regards
Michael Maunsell