Dust Devil Chasers

I've always been fascinated with weather. The good, the bad AND the ugly. Sunny days are alright, wonderful at times, but you don't remember them three years later. It's the bad days, the ugly days that really get my blood pumping. Mind you, I don't like weather to hurt people or destroy property, but I think it's something to be taken very seriously and, at times, with a sense of humor.

I loved the movie "Twister" (1996). Yeah, yeah, I know it wasn't that "real" or accurate, but there's something about chasing the weather that reminds me of chasing horses, or buffalo. They don't follow the pavement, neither does no-nonsense weather.



Last weekend, as we trekked across my state of Washington, we were treated to some whirlwinds. Because they were forming above recently plowed fields we call them "dust devils". They're comparable to tornadoes because they're both a weather phenomenon of vertical air, that rotates. These guys are usually harmless and are out there to entertain and pose for the camera!



Dust devils are formed during sunny weather under fair conditions, starting as a swirling updraft. They rarely reach the intensity of tornadoes. Sometimes they even split and you have "dueling dust devils"!



Hey, I just had a brilliant idea. A sequel to "Twister" is long overdue and I'm looking less and less like Helen Hunt everyday. It's probably time to call Hollywood and say 'I'm your gal' for (drum roll please) "Dust Devil Chasers"!