A sudden dust devil barreled through Greenwich Park over the weekend, sending sunbathers scrambling and blankets flying. Video shared on X shows the swirling vortex sweeping across the parched grass, kicking up dry leaves and startling groups of visitors enjoying the rare sunshine.
Witnesses stunned by the whirlwind
One X user posted footage of the event with the caption: 'Toto, we're not in Greenwich anymore…' The clip captured the moment the dust cloud approached, with several people diving out of its path as it flung their belongings into the air.
This is not the first such occurrence in England during the current heatwave. A taller dust devil was spotted near Leeds Castle in Kent on Sunday, hurtling through a bone-dry field. These phenomena, while common in desert regions, are becoming more frequent in the UK as drought conditions persist.
Why dust devils form
According to the Met Office, dust devils develop when the ground has very little moisture and surface temperatures are high. This produces strong updrafts, which are usually invisible but become visible when they suck up enough dust and debris. The dry conditions across southern England have created ideal conditions for their formation.
The Met Office also confirmed that last month was provisionally the driest July ever recorded for England and Wales, with records stretching back 190 years. Many parts of London saw no rainfall at all during the entire month, leaving parks and fields exceptionally dry.
Heatwave continues
Temperatures are forecast to peak at 36°C for some areas in southern and central England on Thursday. The meteorological body predicts that showers and 'longer spells of rain' may arrive next week as high pressure begins to weaken, but until then, the dry spell is expected to persist.
Residents are advised to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged sun exposure during the hottest hours. The dust devil in Greenwich Park serves as a vivid reminder of the extreme conditions gripping the capital.
London's dry spell impact
The lack of rain has raised concerns about water supplies and wildfire risks. Parks across the city have turned brown, and some councils have implemented hose pipe bans. The Met Office's data highlights the severity of the situation, with July 2026 surpassing all previous records for dryness.
While dust devils are typically short-lived and cause minimal damage, they can be startling. Experts advise keeping a safe distance if one approaches, as flying debris can cause injury.
