A giant funnel-shaped waterspout tornado was pierced by a golden streak of sunlight when it formed at dawn off the coast of the Philippines.

Footage shows the whirlpool extending from the dark clouds to the sea below in Negros Oriental province on May 27.

The weather phenomenon was large but it appeared to stay still until it dissipated after five minutes. The sun was rising behind the dark storm clouds, creating the appearance that the tornado was a long fork of shimmering golden lightning.

Resident Rey Cabal said: ‘We had a good view of the waterspout because we live near the port. We were relieved that everyone was safe and nothing bad happened.’

Waterspout tornadoes form when wind merges from opposite directions near the water’s surface, creating a small area of spin. Warm air at the surface causes the spinning air to rotate faster and it starts to rise – picking up water at the same time and forming a cloud.

Sometimes the air spins so fast that it stretches and a funnel appears from the water to the thunderstorm cloud above.

Waterspouts are generally not dangerous but they can be a risk for aircraft flying through the area and for coral reefs and marine life in the water immediately below. Sailors should also try to avoid waterspouts – as the consequences of floating into one could be disastrous.

They very rarely damage buildings as they dissipate when they reach land. However, they are dangerous of boats caught in their path or aircraft that fly through them.