Dust Devils form in an unlikely place

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - This summer’s hot, dry weather has been hard to take; however, it has produced something we rarely see around here: dust devils.

A dust devil forms on a clear, hot day, when the sun’s rays heat a dry dusty spot on Earth.

Hot air rises, which is nothing new or profound.

But, when the rising hot air collides with a small area of cooler air just above, it causes the rising air to start spinning, and pulls more warm air in from the sides.

That’s when dust and other debris get caught up in the whirlwind, creating a rare, but impressive sight.

It’s called a dust devil, and it looks like a small tornado, but dust devils rarely cause damage and usually don’t last long.