Joliet, Illinois – A fast-moving dust storm is sweeping through the Chicago suburbs Friday evening, bringing dangerous winds and blinding dust to Joliet, Bolingbrook, and surrounding areas through 8 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, a Dust Storm Warning is in effect until 8 p.m. CDT, with wind gusts reaching 60 mph and visibility dropping to near zero in some locations. The storm is moving north at high speed and is impacting key corridors including I-80, I-55, and I-294, making travel hazardous.
The blowing dust has already triggered multiple emergency alerts in Will and Kendall counties. A separate Wind Advisory remains in place until midnight, with gusts up to 50 mph expected across northern Illinois, including DeKalb, Kane, and McHenry counties.
Officials warn of potential tree limb damage, power outages, and flying debris. Drivers are urged to avoid interstates if possible and to pull completely off the roadway with headlights off if visibility drops. Those with respiratory conditions should stay indoors due to poor air quality.
Conditions are expected to remain dangerous through the evening. More advisories could be issued if the storm pushes further into the Chicago metro overnight.
