Chicago, Illinois – Travel has turned life-threatening across northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana this evening as a massive wall of dust sweeps through the region, slashing visibility and pounding roads with wind gusts over 50 mph.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, a Dust Storm Warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. CDT for parts of Cook, DeKalb, Kendall, La Salle, Will, Lake (IN), and Porter (IN) counties. The dust front was last spotted at 6:45 p.m. along a line from Sandwich, Illinois, to Chesterton, Indiana, moving north at 45 mph.
Visibility has dropped below a quarter mile on multiple interstates, including I-55, I-80, I-90, I-94, I-294, and Indiana I-65, creating perilous conditions for drivers. Wind gusts nearing 60 mph were reported at Midway Airport.
Communities affected include Oak Lawn, Calumet City, Hammond, Aurora, Evanston, and West Town. Several major landmarks are within the impact zone, including Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, University of Chicago, and the Indiana Dunes National Park.
Motorists are urged to avoid travel. If caught in the dust storm, pull off the road, turn off lights, and keep your foot off the brake.
Dust storm warnings remain in effect through 8:30 p.m. for some counties. Additional updates may follow if conditions worsen.
