Dust devil captured at mine near Middelburg
The phenomenon, initially mistaken as a tornado, but later confirmed by SAWS as a dust devil, was caused by storm activity in the area.
A dramatic dust devil was captured on video at an Arnot coal mine near Middelburg, Mpumalanga, earlier today, February 20.
The footage, recorded by local Arnot resident, Jan Lodewyk Joubert, shows the spectacular spinning column of dust.
The phenomenon was initially mistaken by some as a tornado.
Initially mistaken by some as a tornado, the phenomenon was confirmed by the South African Weather Service as a dust devil, described as a “proper and beautiful” example. Dust devils are surface-based vortexes that commonly form over hot, open ground, like mines, during unstable atmospheric conditions.
Around 15 minutes later, a storm moved through the area, bringing heavy rain and hail. In a previous video, from the same location shows a similar dust devil forming shortly before a brief but severe weather event.
The South African Weather Service later issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for Mpumalanga, warning of severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours, damaging winds, lightning and hail.
The footage highlights the sudden and unpredictable nature of storm activity in the Middelburg area and surrounding open mining regions. No injuries or damage were reported.
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