Drivers traveling on Interstate 55 in south-central Illinois on Monday afternoon abruptly encountered dangerous conditions brought on by a dust storm that resulted in multiple crashes with injuries.
It's clear dust storms can have significant impacts, but do they have lingering effects and exactly how common are the storms?By definition, a dust storm is a wall of dust and debris that is often blown into an area by strong winds from thunderstorms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. While most common in the Middle East and North Africa, they can occur anywhere within the U.S., and when they do, it's often during the spring.
At a press conference on Monday afternoon, Illinois State Police Major Ryan Starrick explained dust storms aren't unusual in Illinois. "This has happened before in various parts of the state of the Illinois, where unfortunately due to excessive high winds, that once the farmers have turned the field, the topsoil or the dirt that’s on top there gets loose," he explained."It’s extremely dry, and due to the excessive winds of the area, will blow across certain roadways."
Dust storms are common in regions that are flat and have very few trees and plants. Both of these features allow winds to build up momentum, causing the winds to grow stronger and drive more dust into the atmosphere, according to forecasters. The storms themselves may only last for a few minutes, but can cause problems for even days or months afterward. For instance, dense dust can reduce visibility for pilots and breathing such dusty air can lead to health issues, especially for individuals with asthma.
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