In Australia, a dust-devil is called a "willy-willy."
Comments
By Anonymous 386 Days Ago- By Anonymous 386 Days AgoA "willy-willy" in Australia is not a tornado; it is the same as the "dust devil" in North America, formed by heat rising from sun-baked ground, not by intense warm/cold interactions within a thunderstorm. In Australia, a tornado is called a tornado, and more than 350 have been recorded in New South Wales since white settlement.
- By Anonymous 386 Days Agowe have willy willys and tornados, they could be classed as different things although they are basically the same, i guess it all depends on what people want to call them.
- By Anonymous 386 Days AgoI read null's comment, an being an Australian think he is a little misguided thinking that when talking about a willy-willy we are talking about a tornado, which we're not. It is simply a swirling wind (similar to a tornado) of varying power, commonly known to everyone in Aus as a willy-willy.
- By Anonymous 386 Days AgoA "willy willy" is also called a "whirly wind" in Australia. They are nowhere near as destructive as a tornado. The Australian Pocket Oxford dictionary lists the origin as aboriginal but it is a common term used by people in the outback.
- By JazZ 386 Days AgoI come from Australia too and I call them willy-willies or whirl-winds. I think willy-willy is more commonly used by the indigenous population though.
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