VIDEO: Whirlwind ensues after paraglider caught in a dust devil
The paraglider was with a group of enthusiasts looking to take flight on a sunny day in Austria, but the man quickly found himself caught in a dust devil unexpectedly, flinging him into a nearby tree, uninjured.
A paraglider in Austria recently got more than he bargained for when he attempted to take flight.
As he was preparing to fly, the man became caught in a dust devil on a sun-filled day, working feverishly to get free from the whirlwhind. However, he was flung into a nearby tree, hanging from the glider. Fortunately for him, no injuries were incurred, but the glider was damaged.
Dust devils are normally harmless, but should be avoided when possible. While they may resemble tornadoes, they form under completely different circumstances and are normally less destructive.
Tornadoes typically develop under rotating thunderstorms, but dust devils materialize when there are clear skies and warm temperatures. When cold air moves aloft over the region and there is strong sunlight hitting the surface, it can cause rapid heating at the ground level, leading to a strong updraft that can pick up dust and rotate.
Watch the video to see how the paraglider managed while trapped inside the dust devil.