Blowing Dust and High Wind Warning Issued for Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas
A Blowing Dust Warning is in effect for parts of Colorado and Kansas, with wind gusts up to 65 mph creating dangerous brown-out conditions and near-zero visibility.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Goodland, KS, has issued a Blowing Dust Warning and a High Wind Warning for the region. These alerts are in effect as of 10:05 AM MST and will remain active through the afternoon.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the following geographic regions:
- Colorado: Cheyenne, Kit Carson, and Yuma Counties.
- Kansas: Sherman County.
What You Should Do
Residents are encouraged to stay indoors to avoid poor air quality. If you must be outside, wear a protective breathing mask to prevent respiratory issues. High dust concentrations can aggravate asthma and lead to heart-related problems, particularly in children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.
For Motorists: Be prepared for a sudden drop in visibility to near zero. If you encounter blowing dust on the roadway:
- Pull off the road as far as possible and put your vehicle in park.
- Turn your lights all the way off.
- Keep your foot off the brake pedal.
- Remember the safety mantra: “Pull Aside, Stay Alive.”
Additionally, residents should fasten or shelter loose objects that could be moved by high winds.
Expected Conditions
- Wind: West winds between 30 to 40 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 65 mph.
- Visibility: Widespread blowing dust will create brown-out conditions and pockets of severely limited visibility. Conditions are expected to change rapidly over short distances.
- Impacts: Dangerous and possibly life-threatening travel, potential power outages due to damaged property or debris, and poor air quality.
Timeline
The Blowing Dust and High Wind Warnings are effective immediately and are scheduled to expire at 5:00 PM MST this afternoon, February 17.
Source: NOAA Official Notice