Illinois is familiar with many types of severe weather warnings, but an alert issued Tuesday in Sangamon County is decidedly less common.
According to the National Weather Service, a dust storm warning has been issued along a stretch of Interstate 72 in the western part of the county and will remain in effect until 4:45 p.m.
Illinois State Police also said they closed that portion of the highway due to visibility concerns caused by dust.
A wind advisory and severe thunderstorm watch has also been issued for the area, as severe storms could bring wind gusts exceeding 45 to 50 miles per hour.
Closer to Chicago, no watches have yet been announced, but the region remains at risk of a “slight” threat of severe weather.
NBC Chicago
