Severe Storms Bring Dirty Rain to Chicago Area
Unusual Amount of Dirt on Cars and Windows
Many were quick to notice an unusual amount of dirt on their cars and windows as severe storms made their way out of the Chicago area Wednesday evening.
Images of dust and dirt-covered vehicles began popping up on social media as commenters questioned why things suddenly appeared so dirty.
Reactions on Social Media
“I have a white car and there’s brown spots all over my car from this rain,” one person wrote on Reddit Wednesday.
“Legit just thought someone threw a coffee on my white truck about an hour ago,” another user commented.
“You’re not nuts. Each windshield wipe looked like half milk half water,” another wrote.
What Caused the Dirty Rain?
So what happened?
Turns out, the strong storms moving across the area kicked up dust that led to “dirty” rainwater pouring down in some locations, according to NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes. Add to it, the storms dragged smoke from wildfires south of Illinois along with them.
At one point, a dust advisory was issued by the National Weather Service as winds of up to 50 miles per hour caused blowing dust for parts of the region.
Satellite Image of the Dust
The satellite image below shows the dust as it moved in late Wednesday afternoon.
Storms Spark Tornado Watches and Warnings
The storms sparked tornado watches and warnings for several counties, with many experiencing strong-to-severe storms.
Conclusion
The severe storms that moved through the Chicago area brought with them an unusual amount of dirt and dust, causing dirty rain to fall in some locations. The storms also sparked tornado watches and warnings, and dragged smoke from wildfires south of Illinois along with them. The satellite image showed the dust as it moved in late Wednesday afternoon, and the National Weather Service issued a dust advisory due to the strong winds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What caused the dirty rain in the Chicago area?
A: The strong storms moving across the area kicked up dust that led to “dirty” rainwater pouring down in some locations, and also dragged smoke from wildfires south of Illinois along with them.
