The dust devil that attacked Tokyo

[phantom power]

This is quite a dust devil:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6847031446903222440&q=japan+soccer&pl=true

[Atman]

1. Dust devil? That was a mini-tornado!

WOW!

[OhioNerd]

2. Ain't no mini about it. Looked like an F1 to me. n/t

[Boomer]

3. Context, anyone?

Aside from the novelty value of catching this event on film, is it a newsworthy item? In other words, how common, or uncommon, is this type of twister in Japan? I have no clue and would appreciate some perspective from someone who does!

[phantom power]

4. The context is... It was cool.

[Dead_Parrot]

5. It was cool? Wow, that's HUGH! nt

;)

To be fair, even if it has never happened before it could still be a genuine "freak of nature". They did also happen before we invented oil... :)

Still fascinating, though.

[silverweb]

6. That's what I'm wondering.

Is this something that has happened before or has it been unheard of until now... and is it a portent of more to come?

[Boomer]

7. Thanks, Silverweb

That's exactly what I was wondering about. Is this just a "neat, cool" film clip or is it documentation of changing weather/climate patterns.

Anyway, I googled it and found that "Tornadoes can occur everywhere in the world, from Spain to Wales and from Japan to the USA. But they mostly occur in the United States."

Okay, now I know.

[silverweb]

8. Thank YOU.

I've been out of town for the past 24 hours and I appreciate you doing the googling. :)

Now, having been without sleep for more than that 24-hour period, I'm going to go crash for 12 or so. Thanks for the research!