Chicago, IL – A Blowing Dust Advisory is in effect across parts of northern Illinois and northwest Indiana today, Tuesday, May 12, with reduced visibility expected through the evening hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, the advisory remains in place until 7 p.m. CDT (8 p.m. EDT) and includes counties such as La Salle, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois, Ford, and southern Will in Illinois, along with Benton, Jasper, and Newton counties in Indiana.
Patchy blowing dust is expected to develop in open and agricultural areas, where strong winds can lift loose soil into the air. Visibility may drop to one mile or less in localized areas, creating dangerous driving conditions, especially on rural roads and highways.
The sudden nature of blowing dust means visibility can change quickly over short distances, catching drivers off guard.
Officials urge motorists to slow down and use caution, particularly in areas with active fieldwork or exposed soil. If drivers encounter dense dust, they should reduce speed and remain alert for rapidly changing conditions.
This advisory comes amid a stretch of breezy conditions across the region, increasing the likelihood of dust being lifted into the air during the afternoon hours.
Travelers across northern Illinois, including areas southwest of Chicago, and into northwest Indiana should plan for possible delays and hazardous visibility through early evening.
