What is a willy-willy?
A willy-willy is the Australian name for a dust devil, a spinning column of wind that picks up dust and debris. Willy-willies are common in the hot, dry interior of Australia on sunny days.
Willy-willies form when the ground heats rapidly, warming the air near the surface. The hot air rises and begins to spin, drawing in more air and lifting dust and leaves.
Most willy-willies are small and last only a few minutes. Some can grow tall and become strong enough to damage tents, signs or light structures.
Name and origin
The word willy-willy is believed to come from an Aboriginal language, possibly Yindjibarndi or Wangka languages of Western Australia. It is commonly used in outback Australia.
In the past, the term was sometimes also used for tropical cyclones in northwest Australia, but today it usually means dust devils.
Willy-willies are a familiar sight in places such as the Pilbara, the Red Centre and the Nullarbor. They are different from tornadoes, which form from thunderstorms.
They usually last only a few minutes and are rarely dangerous to people.