On Friday, a rare dust storm hit the Chicago area, leading to the first-ever dust storm warning for the city, according to officials. The storm manifested as a “wall of dust” sweeping through the South Side and other neighborhoods, coinciding with significant weather conditions that included high winds peaking at 50 mph and a related storm system that produced a deadly tornado in Missouri.
The dust storm entered Chicago around 6:40 p.m., driven by wind speeds of up to 60 mph. Midway Airport recorded a peak gust of 59 mph, resulting in visibility dropping to approximately a quarter-mile. This event marked an unusual meteorological occurrence for the region and prompted the weather service to issue its historic warning, although a similar alert had been given earlier on May 7, 2023, in an area outside the metropolitan zone.
The National Weather Service’s Chicago office shared a lighthearted remark on social media, stating, “Well that was…..something,” reflecting on the unusual nature of the phenomenon. By 7:40 p.m. local time, conditions were beginning to stabilize, with visibility gradually improving, though still reduced.
The dust storm drew attention not only for its severity but also for its unprecedented status in an urban area typically not associated with such occurrences. As the storm subsided, the weather service reported a gradual return to normal visibility, allowing residents to regain a sense of normalcy after an unforgettable weather event.
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