These conditions led to the deadly dust storm in Illinois
The wind blew in a direction that pushed the dust clouds directly across I-55, a high-traffic interstate. The low visibility on the busy roadway led to more than 70 vehicles to crash.
Agriculture meteorologist says dust caused deadly and dangerous situation on I-55
Nutrien Ag Solutions Senior Meteorologist Andrew Pritchard said dust was kicked up by strong winds and caused a deadly pileup on Interstate 55 in Illinois Monday.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A perfect storm of sorts created a deadly dust storm in central Illinois, killing seven and injuring dozens in a fiery pileup on I-55.
"This all comes down to just bad luck, an overlap of some unfavorable weather conditions," said Andrew Pritchard, senior meteorologist at Nutrien AG Solutions.
A look at the crash scene on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023.
(Illinois State Police / FOX Weather)
He noted that parts of central Illinois have seen dry conditions over the last two to three weeks. Additionally, strong winds with sustained wind speeds of 20 to 25 mph and gusts of 40 to 45 mph have swept through the area.
Alone, these two conditions may already be enough to kick up dust. A third factor, however, exacerbated the situation.
Because of the dry conditions, Illinois farmers have been able to take advantage of the dry soil and begin spring planting. They brought out their heavy machinery and started working in the fields, which loosened the soil.
The high winds then kicked up clouds of dust from the dry soil, greatly decreasing visibility nearby.
![A damaged tractor-trailer is seen after a massive pileup caused by a dust storm on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023.]()
Image 1 of 8A damaged tractor-trailer is seen after a massive pileup caused by a dust storm on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Illinois State Police)
![At least 6 people were killed in a massive pileup caused by a dust storm on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023.]()
Image 2 of 8At least 7 people were killed in a massive pileup caused by a dust storm on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Illinois State Police)
![First responders are seen walking through crash debris on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023.]()
Image 3 of 8First responders are seen walking through crash debris on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Illinois State Police)
![A massive pileup was reported on I-55 in Illinois after a dust storm on Monday, May 1, 2023.]()
Image 4 of 8A massive pileup was reported on I-55 in Illinois after a dust storm on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Illinois State Police)
![First responders are seen looking through crash debris on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023.]()
Image 5 of 8First responders are seen looking through crash debris on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Illinois State Police)
![Crash debris on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023.]()
Image 6 of 8Crash debris on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Illinois State Police)
![A line of vehicles is seen on I-55 in Illinois after a massive pileup during a dust storm on Monday, May 1, 2023.]()
Image 7 of 8A line of vehicles is seen on I-55 in Illinois after a massive pileup during a dust storm on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Illinois State Police)
![Smoke and dust fill the air after a massive pileup during a dust storm on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023.]()
Image 8 of 8Smoke and dust fill the air after a massive pileup during a dust storm on I-55 in Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Illinois State Police)
According to Pritchard, the wind blew in a direction that pushed the dust clouds directly across I-55, a high-traffic interstate. The low visibility on the busy roadway led to more than 70 vehicles crashing.
For drivers experiencing near-zero visibility during a dust storm, Pritchard recommends they pull over.
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"Maybe that means waiting for a little while, but that’s certainly better than coming up on something that’s hidden in the dust, and you can’t quite hit the brakes in time for, which is what we were seeing a lot of yesterday, unfortunately," he said.