Dust Devil

weather · spinning wind · desert · nature

Spinning air column. A dust devil is a strong whirlwind that forms when hot air near the ground spirals upward. The spinning air can range from less than a foot wide to over 30 feet across and tower higher than a thousand meters into the sky.

Made of dust and air. Dust devils pick up sand, dirt, and debris from the ground as they spin, which is why you can actually see them. Without all that dust, the spinning column of air would be invisible.

Quick and temporary. Dust devils don't last very long, which is why they're called 'short-lived.' They form and disappear relatively quickly as the air conditions change.

Born from heat. Dust devils usually form on hot, sunny days when the ground heats up and causes air above it to rise rapidly. This sudden upward motion creates the spinning effect.

Usually harmless. Most dust devils are gentle and fun to watch, but the biggest and strongest ones can occasionally damage property or be dangerous to people caught in them.