Dust Cloud Envelops Chicago: A Historical Phenomenon

Residents of Chicago witnessed a remarkable weather event as a sudden dust storm swept across the city on Friday evening, casting an unusual gloom over the area.

Captured in a time-lapse video, the Chicago skyline swiftly faded into a thick haze. This startling scene wasn't due to a typical thunderstorm; it was a dense mass of dust, as described by an eyewitness, Thomas Jean-Mastej.

According to the National Weather Service, powerful winds ranging from 60 to 70 mph gathered dust from arid farmland, propelling it through the metropolitan area.

The storm's passage over Interstate 55 prompted many drivers to cease their journeys, particularly after they received dust storm warnings on their phones.

Jean-Mastej, amidst this rare occurrence, recorded the event after being cautioned by his spouse via text and phone call.

The dust storm even impacted a high school graduation in the far southwest of suburban Morris.

Visibility drastically plummeted to zero in some areas, and individuals outside felt the grains of dust striking them, necessitating protective eyewear, as Tom Nichin noted.

Midway International Airport experienced a temporary halt of incoming flights due to the storm, while the expressways became heavily congested as vehicles moved into the blinding cloud.

Nichin expressed astonishment, likening the storm to something from the past, calling it 'unbelievable'.

Remarkably, this was only the second instance of the National Weather Service issuing a dust storm alert in the Chicago area, emphasizing its rarity.

While such alerts are more typical in rural Illinois, Jean-Mastej reflected on the surprise of witnessing such an event within city limits.

After the dust storm struck, skies cleared in most afflicted regions within 30 to 45 minutes.