The Chicagoland area saw its first-ever dust storm warning as 50+ mph winds carried dust throughout northern Illinois on Friday afternoon, the weather service said.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said a dust storm developed near Bloomington and raced northeast toward the Chicago metropolitan area during the afternoon and evening on Friday.
The dust storm was caused by strong winds originating from a cluster of severe thunderstorms moving across central Illinois.
Visibility dropped to near zero and winds gusted over 60 mph within the worst of the dust storm.
Four dust storm warnings were issued during the event.
Cell phone users throughout the area received an “emergency alert” on their phones after the NWS issued the warnings.
“Be ready for sudden drop to zero visibility. Pull aside, stay alive! When visibility drops, pull far off the road and put your vehicle in park. Turn the lights off and keep your foot off the brake,” the alert said.
“Infants, the elderly and those with respiratory issues urged to take precautions,” the alert added.
Forecasters said this was the first time the NWS Chicago issued a dust storm warning that included the Chicago metropolitan area.
The only other time that the NWS Chicago issued a dust storm warning was on May 7, 2023, but that did not include the Chicago metropolitan area.
“Previously, the last time a significant dust storm impacted Chicago was during the Dust Bowl on May 10th, 1934,” the NWS said Saturday.
By 6:40 p.m. Friday, the NWS said the dust storm was beginning to ease across the Chicago area and a few thunderstorms were expected to pass over the northern Chicago metro area.