Two large dust devils have been spotted in B.C. in the past couple of months.
The most recent one was captured on video in Chilliwack by Global BC viewer Chris Maniak on Wednesday.
WATCH: Dust devil caught on camera in Chilliwack
That video comes just over two months after Cole Finn caught one in Chase on April 24.
WATCH: Dust devil captured on camera near Chase, B.C by Cole Finn.
But how do you know it’s a dust devil and not a tornado when they look so similar? The difference is really quite simple.
A tornado is associated with a parent cell or a cumulonimbus cloud and touches the ground and the cloud. Whereas, a dust devil comes from a hot, blue sky day!
WATCH: (From April 29) Dust devil spotted spinning along Thunder Bay, Ont. highway
Dust devils are created when there is intense heating of the ground. This heating causes air to rise rapidly and in the just right conditions, the column of air can begin to rotate.
On average, dust devils can reach 200 metres high and span three to 30 metres wide.
WATCH: (From April 17) Dust devil spins up football field in Brooks, Alta.
Dust devils are most often weaker than tornadoes (up to EF0) but have been known to cause damage, so it is recommended to stay well away for safety.
Continue to send your weather-related pictures and video to weatherwindow@globaltv.com.
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