IRELAND COULD EXPERIENCE dust devils, which look like whirlwinds, this week as temperatures are set to be still, calm and hot – the perfect conditions for them.

The Farmers Journal tweeted a video taken by a Kildare farmer which showed hay swirling around in a whirlwind form.

Meteorological officer at Met Eireann Gavin Gallagher told TheJournal.ie that these dust devils are “fairly common in warm climates” and not at all unusual in places like Australia and parts of Europe.

He added that while they are not dangerous, they can be more powerful in warmer climates.

“Some in the US could rip tents off the ground, in Ireland we wouldn’t get that.”

Dust Devil, Murcia, Spain

Gavin explained that dust devils are caused by the ground heating up at different rates, which creates pressure.

“It happens when some parts of the ground heat up quicker than others, air starts rising  quicker in parts and then you have vacuums and you get localised spirals.

“If it forms in hay fields or dusty track you’d see it.” He said you’d need a still, calm day with good heat for one to appear as a wind would cause too much movement in the air.

When asked if it’s possible that we will see more this week as good weather is forecast, Gallagher said, “It’s definitely possible that we’ll be seeing more of these but you could never forecast one as they are random .”