The 2025 Burning Man festival in Nevada's Black Rock Desert faced severe weather challenges from its outset, including powerful dust storms with wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph. These storms caused widespread disruption, including injuries to at least four attendees, destruction of major art installations such as the Ukrainian-themed 'Black Cloud,' and the demolition of the festival's infamous 'Orgy Dome,' which organizers confirmed would not reopen due to irreparable damage. The dust storms also led to the temporary closure of the festival gates, resulting in hours-long delays for thousands of participants, with wait times reaching up to 8 hours and 40 minutes. Additional weather threats included flash flood warnings, thunderstorms, rain, and lightning, which further complicated conditions and led to the gates being shut again on Tuesday after heavy rainfall. One attendee was electrocuted after stepping into a puddle and was transported to a trauma center. Organizers and the National Weather Service issued multiple warnings about the extreme and variable weather, urging festival-goers to secure their campsites and prepare for ongoing adverse conditions. Despite these challenges, attendance was expected to be between 70,000 and 80,000 people, with many enduring the harsh environment to participate in the event.