Dust Devil Spins Through Southern California Desert

A large dust devil spun through the desert near Ocotillo Wells, a community in San Diego County, California, on Monday, August 8, as a storm swept through the area.

Footage posted by nature photographer Sicco Rood shows the whirling cloud moving along the ground before dispersing into the air, and the dusty scene that followed.

According to the National Weather Service, dust devils are created by “strong surface heating” and are generally smaller and less intense than a tornado. Credit: Sicco Rood via Storyful

Video transcript

(ON RADIO) - Do not attempt to travel unless you have taken areas subject to flooding or under an evacuation--