A rare 30-metre dust devil swept through central Manchester, briefly stopping traffic and capturing the attention of residents. Experts clarified the phenomenon, distinguishing it from tornadoes and highlighting its fleeting nature amid clear skies.
On a Saturday afternoon in Manchester, a peculiar weather phenomenon captivated onlookers as a ‘dust devil’ swept dramatically down Great Ancoats Street. This swirling column of dust, reaching an impressive height of approximately 30 metres, momentarily halted traffic as it spiralled along, evoking wonder and a hint of fear among those in its path. One startled observer exclaimed, “What the…? What the hell? There is a tornado in the middle of Manchester… that’s crazy,” reflecting the shock and intrigue sparked by this rare event.
Violinist Adam Riding, who witnessed the spectacle, described his initial reaction as one of paralysis. “It was this dark cloud, and at first I thought it was an explosion, but I didn’t really hear any noise. I froze,” he recounted in an interview with local media, highlighting the unexpected nature of the encounter. Riding’s experience was echoed by web developer Peter David McHugh, who reported being momentarily cast into darkness as the dust devil passed by his building. “It was really interesting. I’ve lived here eight years and I’ve never seen that. It was pretty wild,” he remarked.
However, despite the awe it inspired, the swirling vortex was not a tornado—an important distinction made clear by a meteorologist from the Met Office. According to expert explanations, while tornadoes typically form under severe storm conditions and are associated with heavy rainfall, dust devils arise under clear, sunny skies. The meteorologist clarified that a dust devil occurs when temperature contrasts on different surfaces cause the air to rotate. This phenomenon creates an upward spiral of dust and debris, commonly seen during warm weather.
Dust devils, often referred to as ‘dust bunnies,’ are transient and typically last only a few seconds to a minute. Defined by the Met Office as “an upward spiralling, dust-filled vortex of air,” they can vary significantly in height, ranging from a few feet to over 1,000. Unlike their tornado counterparts, which can stretch across vast areas and carry substantial destructive power, dust devils are smaller in scale, usually only a few metres in diameter at their base.
Interestingly, dust devils are not unique to urban settings; they have been spotted in various parts of the UK. Just recently, a similar phenomenon was observed in a field in Warwickshire, where it lasted approximately 30 to 40 seconds. Such occurrences have also been filmed in York, showing grass being lifted into a miniature vortex, and in County Durham, following a large wildfire, highlighting the various environments in which this phenomenon can manifest.
The Met Office notes that dust devils are most prevalent in desert and semi-arid regions, where dry, hot ground creates conditions conducive to strong updrafts. Their formation is often attributed to uneven heating of the earth’s surface, producing the initial rotation necessary for these fascinating whirlwinds to thrive. The transient nature of dust devils means they can dissipate quickly, often leaving no lasting trace of their presence.
As the Manchester dust devil dissipated, it left behind a blend of fascination and curiosity among those who witnessed it. While such phenomena are not common in urban environments, their occasional appearance offers a unique glimpse into the complexities of meteorological events—a reminder that nature’s wonders can unfold unexpectedly, even in the hearts of bustling cities.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14699421/moment-dust-devil-tornado-UK-city-Brits.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c97dwp1l4pno – A dust devil was observed in a Warwickshire field, with a man describing the phenomenon as resembling a mini tornado. The dust devil lasted about 30-40 seconds before dissipating. The Met Office defines a dust devil as an upward spiraling vortex of air that can vary in height from a few feet to over 1,000 feet.
- https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/20241559.dust-devil-captured-video-sweeping-across-york-field/ – A dust devil was filmed sweeping across a field in York. The video, captured by Cheryl Quinn, shows the phenomenon lifting mown grass into a vortex. The Met Office explains that dust devils form when the ground gets very hot, causing strong convection that carries dust or grass aloft.
- https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2022-08-16/watch-rare-dust-devil-caught-on-camera – A rare dust devil was captured on camera by fire crews in County Durham. The phenomenon was observed following a large wildfire in a field near Scripton Gill, in Brandon. Dust devils form when a pocket of hot air near the surface rises quickly through cooler air above it, creating an updraft that may begin to rotate.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clygzwlk2wpo – Dramatic dust devils were spotted in the East of England, particularly in Essex and Cambridgeshire. The phenomenon was observed during a horticultural event in Essex, where tents and gazebos were uprooted. The Met Office notes that dust devils resemble mini-tornadoes but are less powerful and last only a few minutes.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/czk07zv0x7mo – A dust devil was filmed dancing across a car park outside a cafe on an industrial park in Hampshire. The Met Office describes a dust devil as an upward spiraling dust-filled vortex of air that can vary in height from a few feet to over 1,000 feet. They mainly occur in desert and semi-arid areas, where the ground is dry and high surface temperatures produce strong updrafts.
- https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/rare-dust-devil-phenomenon-captured-23172853 – A rare dust devil was captured on camera in North Wales, filmed at the Nova car park in Prestatyn. The footage shows the phenomenon swirling in the wind. Dust devils are strong, well-formed, and relatively short-lived whirlwinds, ranging from small (half a meter wide and a few meters tall) to large (more than 10 meters wide and more than 1 kilometer tall).
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative appears current as it describes a recent event without outdated references. However, specific dates for when this occurred are not provided in the text.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
While direct quotes are provided, they don’t seem widely available on the web, possibly indicating they are original here. However, without specific sources or dates for the quotes, it’s challenging to confirm their first use.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a publication known for sensationalism. While they have a significant presence, their reporting may sometimes lack objectivity.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The description of dust devils and their meteorological explanation is consistent with scientific understanding. The occurrence of such events in urban areas is plausible, though not common.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is generally plausible and appears to be current, but accuracy could be improved with more specific date references. Quotes seem original but lack further verification, and the source, while well-known, might be biased at times.
