Most of the Chicago area was blanketed in a cloud of dust Friday evening, reducing visibility to nearly zero.
Weather officials issued a dust storm warning for the Chicago area, central Illinois and Northwest Indiana, warning residents to seek shelter and avoid roads as low visibility could create hazardous driving conditions. The warning was lifted at 8:30 p.m.
The storm, which was accompanied by 60-mph winds, was carrying dust picked up from farms in central Illinois, weather officials said. The dust storm quickly moved north — reducing visibility to almost zero.
But operations at O’Hare and Midway airports wasn’t affected by the winds and dust.
Over here at Montrose the winds really picked up and the bright sunny day has vanished. Hundreds of people were enjoying the sun and some brave souls were swimming in the lake. A cloud of grey brown is blanketing the area and it’s hard to keep my eyes open. pic.twitter.com/KIcZGKLbTh
— Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere (@TylerLaRiviere) May 17, 2025
Friday’s dust storm warning was only the second ever issued by the National Weather Service office in Romeoville. The first was on May 7, 2023.
The dust storm followed record-busting temperatures, gusty winds and rain that pummeled the area Thursday. Temperatures reached 93 degrees, topping the previous record of 91 degrees set in 1961.
Temperatures Friday hovered in the low 80s, and some thunderstorms were possible overnight into Saturday, weather officials said.
After two days of heat, conditions were expected to cool down significantly over the weekend, weather officials said.
Temperatures Saturday and Sunday were expected to reach the high 60s.