The dry weather combined with the harvesting season in Central Illinois is creating hazardous conditions on highways due to increased dust that reduces visibility.

Ed Shimon, a Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service, advises drivers on how to handle localized dust events caused by harvesting activities.

“The low moisture content in the dry crops is generating more dust and debris, which is impacting visibility on roads more frequently this year,” Shimon explained. He suggests that motorists pull off as far to the side of the road as possible when encountering these conditions.

This year’s drought also poses risks to agriculture, according to U of I agronomy professor Giovani Preza Fontes. Farmers might face yield losses, especially with soybean fields that need to be harvested at 13% moisture.

“Most of the fields will be harvested with moisture below 10%,” Preza Fontes said. 

The agronomist said that a difference of 3% can make a big impact for most farms.

“For farms spanning hundreds of acres, the financial impact can be significant,” Preza Fontes highlighted.

Still, both Preza Fontes and Shimon said field fires should remain at the front of most people’s minds.

Shimon also noted that strong winds, forecasted to be 20 to 25 mph with gusts over the weekend, amplify the risk of small fires spreading rapidly, compounding the challenges for farmers.