Video footage taken by a South West dog walker shows what appears to be a "mini tornado" crossing the road in front of her on Saturday (August 22).
Rachel Williams said she had been walking her dog at a popular beauty spot in Cornwall when, on the way home, she caught sight of what looked like some sort of "tornado".
Capturing it on camera, the phenomenon, which looks more likely to be a "dust devil" rather than an actual tornado, could be seen traversing Chapel Carn Brea, located near Land's End Airport, at around 2.20pm.
Just a month ago, a wildfire broke out in the exact same area, and Rachel said the sight of the "tornado" in the same place was very "weird".
Rachel said: "It's so amazing. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. I couldn't get my phone out in time to capture the whole thing. It came out of nowhere. It moved so fast, throwing soil and rocks into the air.
"I'm so lucky I got to experience this. I'd just been on Chapel Carn Brea walking my dog. We came across an adder, which I was excited about as I've not seen one for a few years. Then this happened, which made the adder sighting seem insignificant. Nature has certainly been amazing today.
"Apparently there were water spouts on the Scillies today too – perhaps they are linked? I have no idea but I think the whole thing is fascinating, and weird that the 'tornado' was on the exact spot of the fire."
Tornadoes do happen in the UK, with around 30 to 50 of them occurring here every year, according to data from the Met Office, though they are usually much weaker and shorter-lived than those in the US.
A "dust devil" is described as a "strong, well-formed, and short-lived whirlwind that grows upward from the ground on clear, sunny days, and becomes visible when hot, rising air sweeps up loose dust, sand or debris from the surface".
Mini Tornado Spotted at South West Beauty Spot