A snake-like waterspout formed next to a beachfront in the Philippines, terrifying locals who saw the large vortex.

Footage shows the air column writhing above the waters near the Lingayen Baywalk in Pangasinan province on July 17. The currents can be seen visibly circulating inside the well-defined funnel that connected to a blanket of dark clouds in the sky.

Heavy rain and lightning reportedly followed the waterspout sighting, prompting tourists and residents to retreat indoors. The twister later dissipated without harming anyone.

Waterspout tornadoes are intense columns of swirling tornado clouds that form over a body of water.

They are most commonly found in subtropical areas and disappear shortly after they come into contact with land.

Scientists believe they are formed when pockets of warm air near the water surface rise suddenly.

Cooler air is then sucked into the low-pressure air, which picks up water and rises towards the clouds in a rotating motion.

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.