A dust devil is a small, rotating column of air that picks up dust, sand, and debris as it spins across the ground.
Whirling Wonders of the Desert: Dust Devils
May 17, 2025
By Jay Faught
If you’ve spent any time in Santa Fe or the surrounding high desert, chances are you’ve spotted one of nature’s most mischievous little windstorms spinning its way across a dirt road, a construction site, or an open field. These swirling columns of dust and debris are called dust devils, and while they might look like mini-tornadoes, their origin and behavior are quite different—and fascinating.
What Exactly Is a Dust Devil?
A dust devil is a small, rotating column of air that picks up dust, sand, and debris as it spins across the ground. Unlike tornadoes, which are born from powerful thunderstorms and can be dangerous, dust devils form on clear, sunny days—and most are harmless. They typically last only a few seconds to a few minutes and are rarely more than a few dozen feet wide, though some can grow taller than a three-story building.
How Do They Form?
Dust devils form when strong surface heating creates an unstable atmosphere close to the ground. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- The ground gets hot—especially in areas with little vegetation, like the arid landscapes around Santa Fe.
- The hot surface heats the air directly above it, creating a pocket of warm, low-density air.
- This warm air rises quickly through the cooler air above it, creating a small updraft.
- If there’s a slight horizontal wind or uneven heating of the ground, this rising air can start to rotate.
- As the spinning column pulls in more air, it picks up dust and debris, making the vortex visible.
Santa Fe’s high elevation, strong sun, dry soil, and wide-open spaces make it an ideal place for these whirlwinds to form—especially on spring and summer afternoons when the ground heats up quickly under the clear New Mexico sky.
Dust Devils vs. Tornadoes: What’s the Difference?
It’s easy to confuse a dust devil with a tornado at first glance, but the differences are significant:
- Dust devils form from the ground up on sunny days; tornadoes form from the sky down during thunderstorms.
- Dust devils are usually harmless, while tornadoes can be devastating.
- Tornadoes are part of a much larger storm system, while dust devils are localized phenomena.
Where Are Dust Devils Most Common?
Dust devils are most commonly found in desert and semi-arid regions around the world, including the American Southwest, northern Africa, Australia, and parts of Mars (yes—Mars!). In the U.S., they’re especially common in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and parts of Texas and California.
Here in Santa Fe, they’re often spotted:
- In empty dirt lots or parking areas on the south side of town
- On the open stretches of the Turquoise Trail or U.S. 285
- Near construction sites where the soil has been disturbed
- Even in some backyards, especially if there’s loose dirt and strong sunshine
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