What Is a Gustnado? The Storm Phenomenon That Looks Like a Tornado

[00:00:01] Not every spinning column of air during a storm is a tornado. A gustnado is a short lived rotation of air that forms along a thunderstorm's gust front, the rush of cooler air spreading outward from the storm. [00:00:15] Gustnadoes often appear suddenly and can kick up dust or debris, making them look intense. [00:00:21] But unlike tornadoes, they are not connected to a storm's rotating updraft and usually last only seconds or minutes. [00:00:29] Because they form near the ground, are relatively weak, gust nados are difficult to detect on radar and are most often seen in dry regions where loose soil makes them visible. [00:00:41] While they can cause minor damage, gustnadoes are generally far less dangerous than true tornadoes. [00:00:48] STM Daily News Knowledge Series Preserving Context Explaining the world.