Whirlwind


A whirlwind is a phenomenon in which a vortex of wind forms due to instabilities and turbulence created by heating and flow gradients. Whirlwinds can vary in size and last from a couple minutes to a couple hours.

Types

Whirlwinds are subdivided into two
types, the great whirlwinds, and the lesser whirlwinds. The first category includes tornadoes, waterspouts, and landspouts. The range of atmospheric vortices constitute a continuum and are difficult to categorize definitively. Some lesser whirlwinds may sometimes form in a similar manner to greater whirlwinds with related increase in intensity. These intermediate types include the gustnado and the fire whirl. Other lesser whirlwinds include dust devils, as well as steam devils, snow devils, debris devils, leaf eddy or hay devils, water devils, and shear eddies such as the mountainado and eddy whirlwinds.

Formation

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A major whirlwind is formed from supercell thunderstorms or other powerful storms. When the storms start to spin, they react with other high altitude winds, causing a funnel to spin. A cloud forms over the funnel, making it visible.
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A minor whirlwind is created when local winds start to spin on the ground. This causes a funnel to form. The funnel moves over the ground, pushed by the winds that first formed it. The funnel picks up materials such as dust or snow as it moves over the ground, thus becoming visible.

Duration

Major whirlwinds last longer because they are formed from very powerful winds, and it is hard, though not impossible, to interrupt them. Minor whirlwinds are not as long-lived; the winds that form them do not last long, and when a minor whirlwind encounters an obstruction, its rotation is interrupted, as is the windflow into it, causing it to dissipate.

Associated weather

Supercell thunderstorms, other powerful storms, and strong winds are seen with major whirlwinds. Wind storms are commonly seen with minor whirlwinds. Also, small, semi-powerful “wind blasts” may be seen before some minor whirlwinds, which can come from a wind storm. These wind blasts can start to rotate and form minor whirlwinds. Winds from other small storms can cause minor whirlwinds to form. Like major whirlwinds, these minor whirlwinds can also be dangerous at times.

Similar phenomena

Eddies and vortices may form in any fluid. In water, a whirlpool is a similar phenomenon.