dust devil

dust devilDust devil in the Mojave Desert.

dust devil, small, brief whirlwind occurring most frequently in the early afternoon when a land surface is heating rapidly. Dust devils are occasionally made visible by the lofting of dust, leaves, or other loose matter from the surface. See also whirlwind.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Citation Information
Article Title: dust devil
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 29 February 2016
Access Date: February 22, 2025