Incredibly rare 'fire tornadoes' have been spotted in California over the weekend - just when we thought 2020 had no more surprises.
The National Weather Service tweeted out on Saturday to warn about a 'fire-induced tornado' and strong winds.
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The intense Loyalton Fire in Lassen County, California, coupled with winds of up to 60mph, resulted in the 'fire tornado'.
Footage caught and shared online by local residents showed the bizarre - and let's be honest, pretty bloody scary - phenomena.
Fire tornadoes form when the heat rising from the fire pulls in smoke, dirt and fire creating a vortex, CNN meteorologist Haley Brink explained.
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Meteorologist Dawn Johnson explained to the New York Times the added dangers these fire tornados or 'firenadoes' present.
"It's not like a typical tornado where it happens, everything clears out, and you safely go and investigate,' Johnson said.
"In this case, there's a massive wildfire burning in the same location, so the logistics are a lot more complicated."
Elsewhere, in California's Death Valley, the highest ever temperature recorded on Earth may have been hit over the weekend when the mercury soared to 54.4C (130F).
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Death Valley has the current record for the hottest temperature recorded on Earth, an incredible 56.6C 134F degree was recorded on 10 July 1913.
However, experts have since cast doubt on the accuracy of that particular reading.
Whereas, Randy Cerveny, who leads the World Meteorological Organisation's weather and climate extremes team told the Washington Post that the temperature recorded on Sunday seemed to be 'legitimate'.
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He told the Washington Post: "I am recommending that the World Meteorological Organisation preliminary accept the observation.
"In the upcoming weeks, we will, of course, be examining it in detail, along with the U.S. National Climate Extremes Committee, using one of our international evaluation teams."
Featured Image Credit: StoryfulTopics: US News
