where do dust devils usually start?

Answer 1

Usually in a dusty place, like the desert; hence the name!

Answer 2

A dustdevil is a whirlwind into which dust and debris gets caught up, making it visible. Dust devils form through a different mechanism than tornadoes, and are much smaller, usually only 10 to 50 feet in diameter, and usually not extending more than 100 feet into the air. They usually are seen in relatively dry conditions, when sunlight is providing strong heating of the surface, and when winds are generally light. The heated land surface can start to produce convective rolls of air (as in the diagram above). Some of these rolls can get tilted upright, producing a dust devil.

After the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in Washinton state in 1980, there was a layer of white volcanic ash deposited over thousands of square miles of land. Literally hundreds of dust devils could be observed in a single day during sunny conditions, as numerous whirlwinds picked up the light, very visible ash, forming dust devils. It is likely that there are many more of these than people see, since they only become visible when they pick up debris or soil.
Here is a photograph of a dust devil on Mars:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/14jul_dustdevils.htm

Sometimes they even start on my hardwood floors under the beds~~~~~~~ :)

Answer 3

Dust devils form when soil is heated a lot, creating thermals and lower pressure areas near the ground. Dust devils can range in sizes between 1 meter high to several 100 meters high, and are usually brown or black colored due to the dust and dirt sucked up. Dust devils form at the surface, while funnel clouds form in clouds. Variations on dust devils are snow devils, fire devils and steam devils. These all form likewise, by large differential heating of the surface. Landspouts, waterspouts and dust devils are relatively harmless compared to tornadoes spawned by supercells.

Answer 4

Under the couch attacking the dust bunnies.

Answer 5

Hard to believe but they start high up in the atmosphere about 1000 to 2000 feet.

Answer 6

I'm guessing in a dusty or dirt-like area. But I don't know, I'm just throwing the idea out there.

Answer 7

Where its hot and dusty. Caliche roads or unplowed fields is where I usually see them.

Answer 8

In dust hell

Answer 9

Updraft of wind....loose dirt.....and hot hot air.

Answer 10

from the beginning