A dust storm that reduced visibility to almost zero swept through the Chicago area on Friday, leading to the first ever dust storm warning for the city, according to officials.
The “wall of dust” that hit the South Side and other parts of the region happened on a day when winds of 50 mph were predicted, alongside a storm system that resulted in at least one deadly tornado in Missouri.
The dust came in from the south, moving north, around 6:40 p.m. with winds of up to 60 mph, the National Weather Service said.
Midway Airport recorded a gust of 59 mph, the weather agency said, and visibility was reduced to around a quarter-mile.
The phenomenon is unusual for Chicago.
This dust storm warning from the weather service marks the first ever for Chicago itself, although a previous warning on May 7, 2023, was issued outside of the metropolitan area.
“Well that was…..something,” the weather service’s Chicago office wrote on X.
The dust storm was beginning to ease at 7:40 p.m. local time, the weather service said. Visibility ranges were still decreased but were beginning to improve.
