Central’s tornado watchers watched a spectacular show as a twister occurred between Alexandra and Clyde near midday yesterday (Tuesday January 31).

A photo and video uploaded by Trudy Anderson has attracted more than 150 comments and 330 reactions on a local community Facebook group.

This is the second tornado to hit Central in just over two months.

No reports of damage have been received from yesterday’s event, unlike the tornado that hit Springvale on December 17 which lifted roofs and damaged property.

MetService communications meteorologist Lewis Ferris said there was a severe thunderstorm watch in place so tornadic systems were possible.

“Thunderstorms act to intensify weather that is occurring, normally we associate them with very heavy rain or large hail but they also influence wind flows.

“If there happens to be a circulation in the wind, a thunderstorm is able to make that circulation a lot tighter which in turn speeds up the rotation causing a tornadic type circulation.”

Lewis said yesterday’s twister was a ‘Dust Devil’, mainly caused by extremely warm ground temperatures. The air near the ground heats and rises, bringing in other air which starts a rotation and drags in dust.

Weather watchers should be on the lookout as there’s also another severe thunderstorm watch in place today for Central.