Author: Globator
Making an abstract whirlwind.
Easy and cool effect.

Result:

Create a new file in Adobe Photoshop. My size is 300×300 pixels. Fill it with black.

Filter-Render-Lens Flare,
and do it twice, just move second flare a little bit:

Now choose
Filter-Distort-Ocean Ripple
with these settings:

You should get something like that:

Colorize your picture:
Image-Adjustments-Hue/Saturation.
Don’t forget to activate Colorize!

I chose red:

Add a wind effect:
Filter-Stylize-Wind
and choose direction from the right:

Repeat this filter one more time with the same settings:

Duplicate our layer:
Layer-Duplicate layer.
In layer window change duplicate layer’s mode to Screen.
If you don’t see layer window, press F7.

Our picture has been changed:

Layer-Merge Visible.
In layer window you will see only one layer:

Filter-Distort-Polar Coordinates:

Duplicate layer again:
Layer-Duplicate layer.
Then flip duplicated layer vertical:
Edit-Transform-Flip Vertical.

In layer window change duplicate layer’s mode to
Lighten:

Here we go:

Good luck!

Globator