CHICAGO: High winds and parched farmland have created a dangerous dust storm across parts of Chicagoland Friday evening.
The National Weather Service issued a Dust Storm Warning through 8:30 p.m., citing winds over 50 mph and near-zero visibility in spots.
Dry, plowed fields combined with the absence of recent rainfall have made conditions worse, creating a perfect storm of airborne soil and debris.
In several areas, visibility has dropped to just 500 feet, posing serious risks for drivers across open roads.
Hazardous Travel and Traffic Accidents Reported
Due to the sudden drop in visibility, multiple traffic accidents have already been reported.
Drivers have struggled to navigate rural routes where windblown dust quickly turns clear roads into blind stretches.
These intense winds are part of a weather pattern left behind by Thursday’s storm system, which bypassed many parts of the region.
Without rain, the topsoil remained loose—primed for lift-off once the winds hit.
A dust storm continues to race across the Chicago metro resulting in near zero visibility and hazardous travel. Dust will continue north over the next couple hours. Isolated storms are also developing in northeast IL which may result in damaging winds. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/dQa1fCu8Cn
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) May 16, 2025
Forecast: Winds to Ease Overnight
Meteorologists expect wind speeds to gradually decrease later tonight, dropping below 30 mph by late evening.
As gusts weaken, blowing dust should begin to settle, improving conditions for overnight travelers.
Until then, officials urge drivers to exercise extreme caution. Be alert for sudden visibility changes, especially in wide-open rural areas and near agricultural fields.
The Source: The information in this article was provided by the National Weather Service.
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