
A dust devil is a small, short-lived rotating column of air that forms during hot, dry, and calm conditions, typically on clear days when the ground heats up rapidly. This creates a strong temperature difference between the surface and the air above, causing hot air to rise quickly. If local winds or surface features introduce some rotation, the rising air can begin to spin, forming a visible vortex as it picks up dust and debris. Unlike tornadoes, which are much larger, more powerful, and form from severe thunderstorms with strong vertical wind shear and organized storm systems, dust devils are not connected to any cloud system and do not require storm activity to form. While tornadoes can cause significant damage, dust devils are generally weak and pose minimal risk.
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