Dust Storm and High Wind in Kansas, December 17 to 18, 2025

Name: Dust Storm and High Wind in Kansas, December 17 to 18, 2025
Start: 2025-12-17T22:15
End: 2025-12-18T01:35
Location: Kansas

December 17 to 18, 2025 · NWS GLD · 11 events in 9 counties and zones

A strong cold front brought high wind gusts up to 85 mph across northwest Kansas during the evening of the 17th into the early morning of the 18th. Numerous wind gusts of 58-80+ mph were observed, with the strongest being just west of Goodland topping out at 85 mph.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 11 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 11

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS GLD wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Goodland, KS wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 17, 5:38 PM CST, 4 hours 37 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

A High Wind Warning is in effect starting this evening as a cold front brings sporadic gusts up to 60 mph across the area.
The High Wind Warning continues through tomorrow as another round of wind gusts between 50 and 65 mph are possible during the morning and afternoon hours. There is a low chance that gusts could reach 80 mph.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the entire area Thursday as well. Fires could exhibit explosive growth and be impossible to control.
Blowing dust is also possible Thursday. Be alert for changing conditions and brownouts.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 17, 5:38 PM CST, 4 hours 37 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
438 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- A High Wind Warning is in effect starting this evening as a
  cold front brings sporadic gusts up to 60 mph across the area.

- The High Wind Warning continues through tomorrow as another
  round of wind gusts between 50 and 65 mph are possible during
  the morning and afternoon hours. There is a low chance that
  gusts could reach 80 mph.

- A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the entire area Thursday
  as well. Fires could exhibit explosive growth and be
  impossible to control.

- Blowing dust is also possible Thursday. Be alert for changing
  conditions and brownouts.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 158 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

Cloud cover has moved in over the area this afternoon, capping
temperatures in the 50s for most of the area so far. There are a few
60s and any breaks in the clouds should allow for more areas to
reach the 60s. The cloud cover and cooler temperatures have
prevented us from reaching critical fire weather criteria with
relative humidity generally above 25%. Winds still remain elevated
as the upper trough pushes into the Plains and the surface low
begins to near the area.

This evening, the winds are forecast to briefly let up around sunset
as the inversion begins to develop. However, the reprieve will be
short lived as a cold front is forecast to push through the area
with the trough and surface low advancing east. As the front moves
through, it is forecast to mix down some of the stronger winds above
the surface and allow for brief gusts around 50-60 mph along the
front. This has led to the high Wind Warning being pushed up to this
evening. On the back side, pressure rises of ~6mb per 3 hours should
allow winds to sustain around 30 mph and gusts around 45-50 mph. The
current timing is for the front to enter the Tri-State border area
around 7-8pm MT / 8-9pm CT and exit the area close to midnight.
Winds should lower slightly as the night goes on and the front
gets farther away. Temperatures should drop into the 30s with a
few 20s out west as the colder air moves in.

For Thursday, confidence has increased in a multiple hazard day. The
forecast remains on track for the trough to continue to push east
and dig south. This will keep the height gradients between 850mb and
500 mb tight, and allow for another round of strong wind gusts. As
the sun comes up and begins to mix near the surface, the strong
winds that were held up by the inversion should begin mixing to the
surface. The current forecast favors gusts around 50-65 mph, while
some of the stronger guidance suggests gusts could reach 80 mph. The
strongest wind gusts should be closer to North-Central Kansas and
South-Central Nebraska, which means southwestern portions of the
area may be far enough away to avoid the worst of the gusts. Winds
are forecast to sustain around 30 mph and are unlikely to get much
stronger unless the front stay closer to the area and tightens the
pressure gradient. As the sun heats the surface, lapse rates should
increase enough to begin lofting dust, especially with the strong
wind speeds. With the colder air moving in though, the lapse rates
around 1-2km are forecast to be low. As mixing heights around 5000ft
suggest, there may be a cap in place to hold the dust and
concentration. This should lead to plumes of blowing dust across the
area, but again favoring northeastern parts of the area. Be alert
for changing conditions and brownout conditions. Finally, a Red Flag
Warning has also been issued for the area. With the dry conditions
we have had recently and the forecast of fairly strong winds, fires
may become very hard if not impossible to control. With this, felt a
Red Flag Warning is needed. Either way, it will not be a good day to
burn.

There is a 15-20% chance that the area could see lighter winds and
lesser impacts. A couple of the ensemble members were suggesting
that the upper trough may push fast enough to the east that the
tighter height gradients and pressure gradients are east of the area
tomorrow. Winds would still be elevated, but more likely to be 20mph
gust 40 to 45 mph. In this scenario, blowing dust would be much more
isolated and the fire danger would be a little lower.

Tomorrow evening and night, the winds should lower initially as the
inversion sets up and temperatures cool down quickly. However, winds
should pick up around midnight as the next upper trough begins to
move along the Northern Plains and develop low pressure along the
Front Range. This should mix the lower levels and either steady or
warm temperatures. Speeds are forecast to reach 10 to 20 mph with
gusts up to 30 mph.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 215 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

Friday, the upper trough is forecast to continue to push east along
the Northern Plains and Canada. While much further north and
limiting impacts, it is still forecast to help develop the low
pressure along the Front Range and increase the winds to around 10-
20 mph and gusts to 30 mph. With dry air in place, relative humidity
is forecast to drop into the teens, bringing a chance for critical
fire weather conditions. The best chances should be for counties
along the Colorado border. Similar to today though, there is a
chance that cloud cover may move through the upper flow and shield
the area. In this case, relative humidity may not be able to drop
into the teens with cooler temperatures due to the clouds. Depending
on how much moisture moves through, a few showers are also possible.

The weekend is forecast to remain a bit on the cooler side, but
still above average for the time of year as the area sits under
northwest flow aloft. Highs are forecast to be in the 50s with lows
in the 20s and 30s. As long as a shortwave doesn't move through and
stays north, winds should generally be around 10 to 20 mph with
gusts to 25 mph.

Christmas week continues to look relatively nice and mild for now as
the upper pattern transitions more to a zonal or slightly ridged
flow. Highs in the 60s with winds generally below 20 mph are
forecast, along with dry conditions.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 428 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

Complicated TAF forecast for this period as a cold front moving
through ~02-03Z over KGLD and ~03-04Z over KMCK with winds
becoming gusty to ~45 kts with the frontal passage out of the
northwest some local blowing dust can't be ruled out tonight,
though it would likely be short lived. A brief lull in the
winds is expected around sunrise before winds pick up again
Thursday morning after 14Z. The strongest winds with gusts to
~50 kts are currently favoring over the KMCK terminal through
~22-23Z tomorrow. KGLD could see the high winds of 40-50 kts
through ~21-22Z. LLWS at ~200 ft is also a concern for the
terminals through ~16Z Thursday, shifting from southwest to
northwest with the frontal passage at 35-45 kts. Blowing dust
could become more of an issue Thursday with local plumes of dust
developing due to the winds and creating visibility
restrictions. Be alert for rapidly changing conditions and the
possibility of brown out conditions.

&&

.GLD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
KS...High Wind Warning until 5 PM MST /6 PM CST/ Thursday for
     KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042.
     Red Flag Warning from 7 AM MST /8 AM CST/ to 5 PM MST /6 PM
     CST/ Thursday for KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042.
CO...High Wind Warning until 5 PM MST Thursday for COZ090>092.
     Red Flag Warning from 7 AM to 5 PM MST Thursday for COZ252>254.
NE...High Wind Warning until 5 PM MST /6 PM CST/ Thursday for
     NEZ079>081.
     Red Flag Warning from 7 AM MST /8 AM CST/ to 5 PM MST /6 PM
     CST/ Thursday for NEZ079>081.

&&

SHORT TERM...KAK
LONG TERM...KAK
AVIATION...KMK

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 17, 1:36 PM CST, 8 hours 39 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Goodland KS
1236 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-181945-
Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas-
Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-
Red Willow-
1236 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025 /136 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025/

This hazardous weather outlook is for extreme southwest Nebraska...
northwest Kansas and east central Colorado.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

A High Wind Warning is in effect for the entire area this evening
through Thursday afternoon. A cold front should move through and
cause sudden and sporadic wind gusts up to 60 mph. Strong wind gusts
will create dangerous travel conditions, especially for high profile
vehicles.

Patches of blowing dust leading to visibility around half a mile to
a mile may also occur this evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

Thursday morning and into the early afternoon hours, strong winds
near 40 mph and gusts around 60-65 mph are possible for the area,
favoring those east of Highway 25. A few gusts up to 80 mph could
occur.

Blowing dust is forecast to develop during the morning hours, with
low visibility and/or brown conditions possible. Be alert for
rapidly changing and hazardous driving conditions.

Thursday also has a Red Flag Warning in effect for the entire Tri-
State area. Explosive fire growth is possible and may make fire
impossible to control.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Active weather across portions of the Tri-State Area is anticipated.
Spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Dec 17, 9:09 PM CST, 1 hour 6 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
809 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0744 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 N Benkelman           40.16N 101.53W
12/17/2025  M55 MPH          Dundy              NE   Mesonet

            Tallgrass Energy observation.

&&

JRM

Local storm report, Dec 17, 9:18 PM CST, 57 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
818 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0805 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 ENE Clarkville        40.42N 102.47W
12/17/2025  M56 MPH          Yuma               CO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station PAI01 22 N Eckley.

&&

JRM

Local storm report, Dec 17, 9:22 PM CST, 53 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
822 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0820 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NW Wray               40.10N 102.25W
12/17/2025  M55 MPH          Yuma               CO   AWOS

            AWOS station K2V5 2 NW Wray.

&&

JRM

Local storm report, Dec 17, 9:30 PM CST, 45 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
830 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0820 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 NNW Wauneta           40.36N 102.31W
12/17/2025  E69 MPH          Yuma               CO   Mesonet

            Ambient weather station.

&&

Local storm report, Dec 17, 9:42 PM CST, 33 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
842 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0835 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NW Wray               40.10N 102.25W
12/17/2025  M71 MPH          Yuma               CO   AWOS

            AWOS station K2V5 2 NW Wray.

&&

JRM

Local storm report, Dec 17, 9:47 PM CST, 28 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
847 PM MST Wed Dec 17 2025

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0834 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSE Yuma              40.10N 102.72W
12/17/2025  M64 MPH          Yuma               CO   AWOS

            AWOS station K2V6 1 SE Yuma. Visibility down
            to 2 miles due to blowing dust.

&&

JRM

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 high wind, 1 dust storm. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Cheyenne

When: December 17, 10:15 PM CST to December 18, 12:35 AM CST
Where: Cheyenne forecast zone
Measured: 69 kt (79 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 39.786, -101.731 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Wind gusts of 62-79 mph were recorded at the St. Francis Airport (KSYF) AWOS. An additional wind gust of 76 mph was also recorded on the Weather Underground site named KKSSAINT20 which is 1 SSE St. Francis. A public report of excessively strong winds 14 NW St. Francis roughly at intersection CRZ and CR5 was also reported along with an unknown amount of flipped campers, lost power and off and on instances of less than one quarter mile visibility due to dust.

High Wind, Sherman

When: December 17, 9:23 PM MST to 11:19 PM MST
Where: Sherman forecast zone
Measured: 78 kt (90 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 39.351, -101.720 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An AM radio tower 3 WSW Goodland with this initial round of winds was leaning from the high winds then was damaged enough to no longer broadcast with the second round of winds during the day on the 18th. The leaning tower finally collapsed on the 27th on a breezy day. A personal weather station of a former NWS employee recorded a wind gust of 85 mph 2 ENE Caruso. The Goodland Airport ASOS recorded wind gusts of 69-84 mph. Sustained winds were 58 mph at the time of 84 mph wind gust. A weather underground site named KKSKANOR6 located 13 NNW Ruleton recorded a 76 mph wind gust as well.

High Wind, Rawlins

When: December 17, 10:30 PM CST to 11:06 PM CST
Where: Rawlins forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.785, -101.076 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter located 2 NNW Blakeman reported that estimated 75 mph winds downed a 7.25 inch healthy tree limb with the winds. A Kansas Mesonet site named Ludell 3 N recorded a 72 mph wind gust.

Dust Storm, Cheyenne

When: December 17, 10:30 PM CST to 10:40 PM CST
Where: Cheyenne forecast zone
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.786, -101.731 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A public report near CRZ and CR5 14 NW St. Francis of off and on visibilities falling below one quarter mile due to blowing dust with excessive winds. Wind gusts of 58-79 mph were recorded across the county around the same time.

High Wind, Logan

When: December 17, 10:57 PM CST to December 18, 1:35 AM CST
Where: Logan forecast zone
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.917, -101.148 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Ambient weather site named Section 17 located 10 NE Wallace recorded multiple instances of 81 mph wind gusts and a gust of 78 mph before the 81 mph gusts. The Kansas Mesonet site named Russell Springs 3 SW, and a weather underground site named KKSWALLA4 located 13 SSE Wallace both recorded a 64 mph wind gust. A 59 and 61 mph wind gust was also recorded at the Oakley AWOS (KOEL).

High Wind, Cheyenne

When: December 17, 11:00 PM CST to December 18, 12:44 AM CST
Where: Cheyenne forecast zone
Measured: 67 kt (77 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.786, -101.731 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ambient weather site named Summer646 located 9 N Page City recorded a 77 mph wind gust. In the town of Colby the public measured a 73 mph wind gust. A 68 mph wind gust was recorded in Rexford via weather underground site KKSREXFO12. A 59 mph wind gust was recorded at the Colby Airport (KCBK).

High Wind, Wallace

When: December 17, 10:20 PM MST to 11:44 PM MST
Where: Wallace forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.917, -101.764 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 62 mph wind gust was recorded on CWOP site named CW6099 9 SSE Sharon Springs. Another wind gust of 61 mph was located at Mt. Sunflower via weatherunderground site named KKSWESKA9.

High Wind, Decatur

When: December 17, 11:35 PM CST to December 18, 12:15 AM CST
Where: Decatur forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 39.785, -100.460 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Oberlin Airport (KOIN) AWOS reported wind gusts of 62 and 63 mph.

High Wind, Sheridan

When: December 18, 12:29 AM CST
Where: Sheridan forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.350, -100.442 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A WeatherUnderground site named KKSGRAIN16 recorded a 60 mph wind gust.

High Wind, Gove

When: December 18, 1:05 AM CST
Where: Gove forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.916, -100.483 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A KDOT weather site named K5OK7 along I-70 3 ESE Oakley reported a 61 mph wind gust.

High Wind, Greeley

When: December 18, 12:25 AM MST
Where: Greeley forecast zone
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.481, -101.806 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet site named KKSTRINU27 on WeatherUnderground reported a 75 mph wind gust.

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Dust Storm: Blowing dust that reduced visibility to a quarter mile or less.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Kansas in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history Warnings in Kansas, December 2025

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1298248, 1298256, 1298253, 1298254, 1298252, 1298257, 1298258, 1298249, 1298255, 1298250, 1298251.