Time-lapse video shows how far the Chicago skyline disappears The dusty wall blew through.

"It looks like a thunderstorm is broken, but you can say it's not a thunderstorm. It's dust. It's straightforward dust."

The National Weather Service said it was a 60-70 mph wind blowing through arid farmland, collecting dust into the air and blowing it into the Chicago area.

Dust swept Interstate 55, forcing some drivers to stop without a chance, especially after the dust storm alarm hit their phone.

Jean-Mastej took off and took out his phone to record the rare scene.

"I'm going home, the alarm goes up on my phone, and then my husband texts me and he calls me. He's like, 'Now get out. It's coming.' I was like, "I can see it on the south side," he said.

At the high school graduation ceremony in southwest Morris, a sandstorm blew.

When sandstorms hit, visibility in some places quickly dropped to zero, and those standing outside felt debris blowing in the wind.

"You can feel it. You can feel the dirt in your eyes, etc. You really have to wear glasses or something."

The planes entering the Midway International Airport swept the dust storm as the ground stopped about an hour of downtime flights, while support for Chicago-area highways was more backed up than usual as the driver found himself sailing into a dusty wall.

"It's like something in a history book, you know? It's incredible," Nickin said.

This is the second time their Chicago office has issued a sandstorm warning, including the city itself, according to the National Weather Service.

Sandstorm warnings are more common in rural areas of central and southern Illinois.

"You don't think you're going to see this in the city," Jean-Mastej said.

For most areas hit by dust storms, the sky clears within 30 to 45 minutes.