Rare Natural Phenomenon Spooks Beachgoers In New York

Last Friday a big dust devil surprised people at Grafton Lakes State Park Beach in upstate New York, near Albany. Kids screamed and ran as the swirling wind picked up sand, beach umbrellas, and other items, creating chaos for about 30 seconds before it faded away. Luckily, there were no reported injuries from the dust devil.

What is a dust devil?

A dust devil is a spinning column of air that forms when hot air near the ground rises fast through cooler air above. It sucks up dust and dirt, making it look like a mini tornado - but dust devils are different from tornadoes. Tornadoes come from big storms and form from the sky down, often with rain and thunder. Dust devils start from the ground up on sunny, calm days and are usually much weaker, with winds around 30 to 50 miles per hour. -instagram.com

Are they scary?

They can be scary because they appear suddenly and make a loud whooshing sound while throwing things around, like in the New York beach video where people fled in panic. However, most are harmless and don't cause serious harm.

Where do they form? How long do they last?

Dust devils often last just a few seconds to a couple of minutes, though bigger ones can go up to 20 minutes. They form in dry, flat places like deserts, parking lots, or fields where the sun heats the ground a lot. Geographically, they're common in warm, arid spots around the world, such as the American Southwest or Australia, mostly in summer afternoons.

How rare is a New York dust devil?

These events happen often in desert areas—sometimes several a day—but they're rare in places like New York because the weather isn't usually hot and dry enough. Meteorologists say this one was unusual for the region. Dust devils remind us of nature's surprises, but staying calm and moving away can keep you safe.