High Wind Warning Issued for Portions of Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska with Gusts up to 70 MPH

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Goodland, KS has issued a High Wind Warning (NWS code: HWW) for portions of the Tri-State region. This alert is effective from midnight MDT (1 AM CDT) tonight through 8 PM MDT (9 PM CDT) on Sunday, March 15.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad geographic area including:

• Colorado: Yuma, Kit Carson, and Cheyenne counties.
• Kansas: Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Wallace, Logan, Gove, Greeley, and Wichita counties.
• Nebraska: Dundy, Hitchcock, and Red Willow counties.

Expected Conditions

Residents should prepare for sustained northwest winds between 35 and 45 mph. Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 70 mph. According to the National Weather Service, the highest wind gusts are anticipated to occur between mid-morning and early afternoon on Sunday. These conditions are likely to create plumes of blowing dust, which will cause rapidly changing and hazardous visibility levels.

What You Should Do

The NWS advises the following safety measures:

• Secure Property: Fasten loose objects or move them to a sheltered location before the winds begin to prevent property damage.
• Travel Caution: Use extra caution if driving, as winds of this magnitude make travel difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles.
• Health Precautions: Due to blowing dust and lowered air quality, residents are encouraged to stay indoors. If you must go outside, consider wearing a protective breathing mask. High dust concentrations can aggravate asthma, decrease lung activity, and lead to respiratory or heart-related problems, especially in children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.

Timeline

• Effective: Midnight MDT / 1 AM CDT, Sunday, March 15.
• Peak Intensity: Mid-morning through early afternoon Sunday.
• Expiration: 8 PM MDT / 9 PM CDT, Sunday, March 15.