Large dust storm produces near-zero visibility along I-70 during severe storms in Kansas

ByTeo Blašković

Severe thunderstorms produced dust storm conditions along I-70 in northwestern Kansas on May 16–17, 2026, with the NWS Goodland warning of areas of near-zero visibility in blowing dirt and KDOT reporting an I-70 closure between Colby and Oakley due to blowing dust and crashes.

Satellite image acquired at 00:20 UTC on May 17, 2026

Satellite image acquired at 00:20 UTC on May 17, 2026. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East, Zoom Earth, The Watchers

Severe thunderstorms moving across northwestern Kansas produced dust storm conditions along sections of I-70 on May 16 and 17, reducing visibility and creating dangerous travel conditions. NWS Goodland repeatedly warned that storm winds would produce areas of near-zero visibility in blowing dirt.

NWS Goodland issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning at 17:18 MDT on May 16 for southern Cheyenne and Sherman counties, including Goodland and I-70 between mile markers 0 and 35. The office warned drivers to use extreme caution because visibility could change rapidly in blowing dirt.

The same severe weather setup affected the Colby–Oakley corridor later that evening. A warning issued at 18:10 MDT on May 16 included Colby, Oakley, Levant, Winona, Monument, Gem, and I-70 between mile markers 23 and 75, with 113 km/h (70 mph) wind gusts and hail up to 5.1 cm (2 inches) in diameter.

Another warning issued at 20:17 CDT carried the same near-zero-visibility blowing-dirt wording after a public report of a 121 km/h (75 mph) gust north-northeast of Angelus.

The dust hazard continued on May 17 as severe storms again crossed western Kansas and eastern Colorado. At 16:55 MDT, NWS Goodland warned of golf ball-size hail, 113 km/h (70 mph) wind gusts, possible tornado development, and near-zero visibility in blowing dirt across Wallace and Sherman counties in Kansas, including I-70 between mile markers 0 and 30.

KDOT Northwest Kansas later said I-70 was closed in both directions from Colby to Oakley due to blowing dust and vehicle crashes blocking the roadway.

Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.

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