Several Hibiscus Coast residents have spotted a waterspout from the sky this afternoon.

Photos and videos of the waterspout over Arkles Bay have emerged online.

A waterspout is a columnar vortex, appearing as a funnel-shaped cloud, which occurs over a body of water.

The twister just popped out of the sky on the way home from yoga – needless to say my calmness disappeared pic.twitter.com/wMU0a1efgI

— Barbara Kendall (@BarbsKendall) June 1, 2016

Waterspouts are formed by the turning of the wind and updraft of wind – and according to WeatherWatch.co.nz forecaster Aaron Wilkinson, they are ‘a vortex over water – sometimes a waterspout is termed a tornado if it makes landfall.

‘Its formation is often non supercellular.’

One or two more waterspouts were possible north of Albany this afternoon if the heavy rain continued, according to forecasters.

– NZME