the.com/dust devil

a tiny tornado that forgot to ask the clouds for permission

means A small, whirling column of wind that picks up dust and debris as it spins across hot, dry ground on a clear day.

from A plain English compound: 'dust' (from Old English 'dust,' fine dry particles) plus 'devil' (via Latin 'diabolus' from Greek 'diabolos,' the accuser or slanderer). The 'devil' part reflects an old impulse, found across many cultures, to read these sudden spinning gusts as something mischievous or supernatural — they appear from nowhere and dance unpredictably. Similar named whirlwinds exist worldwide, and the term grew alongside English exploration of arid landscapes, though no single coiner is recorded.

sky-free: Forms from hot ground, no storm required
on mars: They tower miles high and clean rover panels
spin direction: Either way, unlike their bigger tornado cousins
surprise power: Strong ones can flip cars and tents
old names: Called willy-willies in Australia, sand augers elsewhere

for instance

dust devil on mars — captured by nasa rovers including opportunity in 2006, creating dark tracks across the surface