MLchartDataset catalogue

Dancing devil

Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-004853

An informal name for a small, rapidly rotating column of air that becomes visible as it picks up dust, sand, or light debris from the ground. This phenomenon is essentially a dust devil, characterized by its short lifespan and erratic, dancing movement across the surface. It forms on clear, hot days when strong surface heating creates an unstable air layer, and is not associated with thunderstorms.

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-MET-004853
FieldMeteorology and atmospheric science
Record as JSON
{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-004853",
  "term": "Dancing devil",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definition": "An informal name for a small, rapidly rotating column of air that becomes visible as it picks up dust, sand, or light debris from the ground. This phenomenon is essentially a dust devil, characterized by its short lifespan and erratic, dancing movement across the surface. It forms on clear, hot days when strong surface heating creates an unstable air layer, and is not associated with thunderstorms.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/dancing-devil/"
}

Record 2,448 of 10,816 in Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology (MLC-0110). Request the full dataset.