Chicago experienced its inaugural Dust Storm Warning inside the city boundaries on Friday due to strong winds transporting dust throughout much of the region.
This followed thousands who found themselves without electricity on Friday morning in the
The Chicago region following the passage of thunderstorms through the area.
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A dust storm warning was active across most regions on Friday, encompassing both Cook County and Chicago, though it has now lapsed.
A significant portion of the Chicago region was likewise subject to a Blowing Dust Advisory throughout much of the night because of sandstorms that swept in from central Illinois.
A Wind Advisory was issued for portions of the Chicago region extending until Friday evening.
Additionally, a short Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Warning were issued for portions of the southern suburbs as well as northwest Indiana.
Watch live ABC7 coverage as the dust storm swept through.
A dust storm sweeps into the Chicago region.
A dust storm has reached downtown Chicago.
A dust storm leads to hazardous driving conditions.
A big dust storm rapidly sweeps across the southern neighborhoods.
A dust storm decreases visibility throughout Chicago, particularly near the lakeshore.
A timelapse captures a dust storm advancing over downtown Chicago.
Cleaning up after Thursday’s severe weather
On Thursday night, the National Weather Service put out both a Tornado Watch and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for several counties in Illinois and northwest Indiana. These alerts have now lapsed.
Cleanup commenced on Thursday evening for both urban and rural public works departments.
ComEd reported that over 47,000 people were left without electricity when they woke up on Thursday.
In Northwest Indiana, the Gary Community School Corporation decided to keep all schools closed on Friday because of widespread power outages.
Approximately 67,043 customers are currently experiencing power outages in NW Indiana, as reported by Northern Indiana Public Service Company.
In Gardner, Illinois, the fire chief mentioned that the damage was widespread, and it might take several days for repairs to be completed.
Extreme weather conditions caused trees to fall in Chicago’s Northwest Side and Southwest Side, along with further north in the Round Lake region where firefighters were kept occupied.
According to ABC7 Chicago meteorologists, the most severe part of the rapidly moving storms passed through from 4 to 8 p.m.
Record-breaking heat
On Thursday, the mercury climbed to 95 degrees at Midway Airport and hit 93 at O’Hare Airport, surpassing the earlier record high of 91 degrees.
Beyoncé’s “COWBOY CARTER TOUR”
was scheduled to perform at Soldier Field at 7 p.m. on Thursday, but the show was pushed back to at least 9 p.m. because of the significant weather hazard, according to a representative from Soldier Field.
On Friday, strong winds will prevail, posing a significant threat of brushfire escalation. Wind speeds may reach over 45 mph in gusts.
Temperatures on Friday will once more reach the high 80s.
Wisconsin Tornado
On Friday evening, a tornado landed in Dodge County, Wisconsin.
Destruction was left behind in the region, approximately 60 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department stated that Juneau and Mayville experienced the most significant impact.
Camps were established for individuals who lost their homes.
A verified tornado traveled through the far western part of Wisconsin close to the Minnesota border.
