Saw on the news today that Arizona is having a problem with Dust Tornados because it is so dry there. I got to wondering, could you stand in one and survive unlike a regular tornado? I know you'd have a bunch of sand all over you, but was wondering. Thanks!
2007-07-07 11:55:52 · 8 answers · asked by atlantagal 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Dust tornado is not a tornado, it is a dust devil or whirlwind. They form when the air is hot and usually dry and there is a updraft. The dust devil is rarely strong enough to threaten lives or property.
People could usually stand in the dust devil. The winds rarely exceed 50 mph but is usually much weaker. This may knock children and unsteady adults but only the strongest ones. Most, however, are weak enough for people to stand or walk in them. Even people run after them for fun.
I seen videos of children playing in a gustnado in a grassy field and it was picking up the grass clippings and hay but not really affecting the children.
2007-07-07 13:20:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What the news is reporting on are actually Dust Devils, small whirlwinds that, while looking impressive, exert little power. Unless you don't weigh much, or you get involved with an exceptionally frisky Dust Devil, yes, you can allow one to pass over/through you with little discomfort except for the sand particles. However, do not get the small Dust Devils mixed up with full blown tornadoes that have picked up dirt instead of things such as trees, houses and cars. Regular tornadoes can also be made up of water (if they form or move over water).
2007-07-07 15:12:04 · answer #2 · answered by Stephen C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Dust tornadoes, also called dust devils, tend to be small. Plug your ears and nose before you try to get too close though! If you mean a REAL ( as in F0 or more) tornado, find shelter!
2007-07-07 12:01:25 · answer #3 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depending on the size. The sand and dust would be hurled at your skin at really fast speeds so you would get cut and/or get sand embedded in your flesh.
2007-07-07 12:00:12 · answer #4 · answered by diburning 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes you can, as long its not too big usually they dont do much damage, i ve chase some and stood in them and the sand flying around hurts, but also i ve heard of stories of them getting so big to up root trees, also drove threw one on the freeway, by the way i live in phoenix az, and i was going about 80 and it shook my car pretty good it acutally suprised me.
2007-07-08 20:27:27 · answer #5 · answered by Weather dude 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You would likely survive.
This video is of a famous dust devil that formed right in the middle of a Japanese kid's soccer game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rK-ctpFBz8
2007-07-07 15:13:12 · answer #6 · answered by nevermore29407 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes you could be in one and it doesnt hurt you ,i was in mexico la sierra the dessert and i was out side talkin to my friend and it was a lil bit wendy but didnt think much of it and all of a suddin a big wind came over us boy was it strong man we had to get a hold on something not that it was gonna life us in the air but it was strong enogh to knock us on are ***. but it was fun and alot of do happen alot over there in mexico nobody ever gets scared they just get mad cause it leaves a big mess after words.
2007-07-07 19:54:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No.
There are small ones, but the bigger ones can be really dangerous.
They can lift anything to the sky and throw it somewhere else, including yourself.
...
2007-07-07 12:05:00 · answer #8 · answered by PragmaticAlien 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋