On Friday, Might 16, a rare dust storm in Chicago introduced visibility ranges close to zero, prompting the primary mud storm warning within the metropolis’s historical past. The storm started at round 6:00 p.m. and began to ease at 7:40 native time. But the warning was issued till 8:00 p.m. and was later prolonged to eight:30 p.m.
Some flights needed to be delayed, and loads of motorists reported being stranded on foremost highways. This text discusses every thing it is best to know in regards to the current mud storm in Chicago, from the way it affected individuals to what precipitated it.
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A Uncommon Mud Storm Engulfs The Metropolis Of Chicago, Bringing Close to Zero Visibility
At 5:36 p.m. CDT, the U.S. Nationwide Climate Service in Chicago, Illinois, printed a put up on Fb, advising locals a couple of mud storm in central Illinois transferring northward. The put up additionally alerted locals to count on close to zero visibility and gusty winds of as much as 60 mph.
A couple of minutes later, the group up to date its earlier warning with one other put up:
A mud storm continues to race throughout the Chicago metro leading to close to zero visibility and dangerous journey. Anticipate the mud to proceed to unfold north by means of the metro for the subsequent couple hours. Remoted storms are additionally creating in northeast IL which can end in damaging winds.
The storm lasted just a few hours, resulting in life-threatening journey circumstances. Each climate consultants and Chicago residents have been impressed by the uncommon phenomenon, and lots shared their reactions on social media. For example, X person @JackLydon63 commented:
Only a warning on my cellphone a couple of mud storm. I appeared out my workplace window on the mud storm within the Loop. Are you kidding me? Mud storm? In Chicago?
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How Did The Mud Storm In Chicago Have an effect on Folks?
These climate phenomena may be hazardous. In March 2025, a dust storm caused a massive 71-vehicle pileup in Kansas, leading to the death of eight people. Fortunately, nobody obtained injured through the mud storm that not too long ago hit Chicago.
Other than creating eerie sights throughout town, the mud storm drastically decreased visibility, making touring a hazard. Most individuals obtained caught at dwelling, and motorists reported being stranded on foremost highways. Some O’Hare and Halfway Airports flights needed to be postponed, delaying vacationers.
Sadly, the storm additionally affected air high quality in Chicago and its environment. Not by likelihood, on Friday night, air high quality ranges within the space have been about 100 AQI, which is taken into account ‘unhealthy for delicate teams.’ Specialists imagine the mud storm can also have an effect on air high quality ranges within the upcoming days.
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The place Did The Chicago Storm Come From?
In keeping with worldwide climate and local weather professional Marshall Shepherd:
For this storm, my speedy speculation was associated to dry circumstances and outflow boundaries racing northward from thunderstorms to the south.
Illinois was simply popping out of an evening characterised by extreme thunderstorms, throughout which over 100,000 individuals have been left with out energy. The next day, the areas that weren’t hit by rainfall recorded wind gusts reaching 50 to 60 mph, resulting in a Purple Flag Warning. The dry local weather, coupled with the sturdy winds, created the right circumstances for a mud storm.
This climate phenomenon is extremely uncommon in Chicago. Even the Nationwide Climate Service (NWS) within the metropolis shared a put up on X, commenting on this uncommon phenomenon, stating:
Nicely that was…..one thing.
Whereas a mud storm was documented again in Might 2023, the warning did not embody the Chicago metro space on the time, making this a brand new first for town.
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