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

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

I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.

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