A rare weather event, described by observers as a 'grassnado', swept through a property on the outskirts of Maryborough, Queensland, on Wednesday afternoon. The localized whirlwind lifted substantial amounts of grass several meters into the air, astonishing residents who captured the phenomenon on video.
Michelle Pryor-Ball, a local resident, told The Courier Mail that the whirlwind was approximately 10 meters wide and at least 25 meters high. "We were just so surprised," she recounted.
Social media users expressed their amazement at the unusual sight. One individual described mistaking the phenomenon for a flock of birds from a distance before realizing it was a "willy-willy," a common term for a dust devil in Australia. Another user called it an "incredible weather phenomenon to witness."
Higgins Storm Chasing, a prominent weather forecasting page, is credited with coining the term 'grassnado'. According to their explanation, warming temperatures can create buoyant air near the surface that rises. Under specific conditions, this rising air can form a low-pressure area near the ground, causing surrounding air to rush in and rotate. This rotation can create dust devils, or willy-willies, which are capable of picking up loose debris, including grass, dust, and other light materials.