What Is Dust Devil?
A small, spinning column of dust on a hot, sunny day. It is not connected to a cloud and is usually harmless, though a few are strong. In technical terms: A small, intense vortex (a few to tens of meters wide) arising from superadiabatic surface heating in the convective boundary layer under clear skies, made visible by lofted dust; not attached to a cumuliform cloud.
Dust Devil In Plain English
A small, spinning column of dust on a hot, sunny day. It is not connected to a cloud and is usually harmless, though a few are strong.
The Technical Definition
A small, intense vortex (a few to tens of meters wide) arising from superadiabatic surface heating in the convective boundary layer under clear skies, made visible by lofted dust; not attached to a cumuliform cloud.
