What scale classification is given to dust devils?

Dust devils are classified as microscale phenomena because they are relatively small in size, typically ranging from just a few meters to about 100 meters in width. They are characterized by their localized nature, occurring in specific areas and only affecting the immediate environment. This scale is primarily concerned with features that are less than about 1 kilometer in diameter, such as individual dust devils, small whirlwinds, and other similar small-scale wind phenomena.

In contrast, the mesoscale refers to weather patterns that cover broader areas, usually from about 1 to 100 kilometers, including phenomena like thunderstorms or tornadoes. The macroscale and planetary scales encompass much larger atmospheric processes and systems that span hundreds to thousands of kilometers, such as large storm systems or climatic patterns. Thus, the unique characteristics of dust devils being small and localized make the microscale classification the most appropriate.