A mini-tornado, known as a dust devil, ripped through Greenwich Park in London, startling locals enjoying the weekend sunshine. Footage shows dust and dried-out leaves being picked up and spun by the wind tunnel, which hurtled across the park's dry plains.
Chaos in the park
The dust devil gathered speed as it moved into areas where people were picnicking, causing Londoners to flee the cloud of dust and leaves. Social media users compared the scene to the Wizard of Oz, with one writing, "Toto, we're not in Greenwich anymore." Others joked that London's parks would become "a desert" with "tumbleweeds next."
What is a dust devil?
Despite the havoc, the vortex is not an actual tornado. Known as a "willy willy" or dust devil, it forms when the ground becomes very hot, causing a sudden rising of hot air. These spinning columns typically occur on hot, clear, and sunny days, picking up dust and loose debris.
Heatwave context
The incident comes as the Met Office issued a rare extreme heat warning, with temperatures expected to reach 36C. It follows London's driest July on record, with the last rainfall on June 29. Similar dust devils have been spotted in Hyde Park and Tooting Bec during the dry spells.
