A bizarre weather event at Madrid’s Retiro Park has taken social media by storm, after a swirling column of air appeared over the boating lake, right in the middle of a hot summer’s day. The short clip, which quickly went viral on TikTok, shows the whirlwind spinning across the water while people in rowing boats watch on, some clearly startled, others even falling in.

‘Is That a Tornado?’

At first glance, it looked like a mini tornado. The swirling air was strong enough to lift spray from the water and knock a few people off balance. Online, some viewers joked it was a CGI trick, a meme, or even a publicity stunt. But the event was very real, and it wasn’t a tornado.

Experts have since explained that what people saw was more likely a dust devil or a waterspout-style whirlwind, caused by extreme heat and dry conditions. These small vortexes don’t reach the clouds like full tornadoes do, but they can form quickly when hot air near the ground rises and begins to spin.

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El calorrrrrrrrrr y lo que provoca

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Heatwaves and Sudden Whirlwinds

Madrid has already seen several heat alerts this summer, with the city regularly hitting temperatures above 35°C. When the ground gets extremely dry and there’s a sudden shift in wind, conditions are just right for small whirlwinds to form, especially in open spaces like parks or flat water surfaces.

This particular event came during one of those high-alert days, when strong gusts and soaring temperatures had already led the city council to close Retiro Park on several occasions to prevent accidents from falling branches or unstable trees.

No Damage, Just a Dramatic Reminder

Thankfully, the whirlwind didn’t cause any injuries or lasting damage, but it was enough to shock onlookers and spark a wave of online theories. The event also serves as a reminder of how extreme weather can lead to unexpected situations, even in the heart of a major city.

With more heatwaves expected this summer, weather experts continue to stress the importance of paying attention to local warnings and staying cautious during outdoor activities. Nature, after all, doesn’t always stick to the script.

Main image: TikTok/janigarcias