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

Name: Dust Storm and High Wind in Kansas, December 18, 2025
Start: 2025-12-18T09:15
End: 2025-12-18T13:54
Location: Kansas

December 18, 2025 · NWS GLD · 12 events in 11 counties and zones

Numerous wind gusts ranging from 58-81 mph occurred across northwest Kansas. The strongest wind gust of 81 mph was located 10 NE Wallace in Logan county.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 12 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: 12

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.

Numerous wind gusts ranging from 58-81 mph occurred across northwest Kansas. The strongest wind gust of 81 mph was located 10 NE Wallace in Logan county. Zero visibility in blowing dust was also reported 3 NE Seguin in Sheridan county which led to the closure of Highway 24.

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 18, 5:19 AM CST, 3 hours 56 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 55 and 65 mph are possible during the morning and afternoon hours. There is the potential that some gusts could reach 80 mph.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the entire area Thursday as well. Fires will exhibit explosive growth and be impossible to control.
Blowing dust is also possible Thursday. Be alert for changing conditions and brownouts.
Record high temperatures Friday along with some potential for fire weather across eastern Colorado.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 18, 5:19 AM CST, 3 hours 56 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Goodland KS
419 AM MST Thu Dec 18 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 55 and 65 mph are possible during
  the morning and afternoon hours. There is the potential that
  some gusts could reach 80 mph.

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

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

- Record high temperatures Friday along with some potential for
  fire weather across eastern Colorado.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 139 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

Initial round of winds are finally "letting up" however still some
gusts of 45-55 knots remains as of 0731Z. Breezy to gusty winds will
continue through the however with gusts of 30-40 mph continuing as
we lose response to the initial cold front.

Today, continues to have the potential for a high impact multiple
hazard day. Winds are again forecast to re-strenghten as the
nocturnal inversion breaks. I have increased winds and tailored them
more towards the GFS wind which did a pretty decent job at the wind
field with the overachieving winds that were experienced
overnight. Basing off of this I continue to have concerns for
wind gusts of 65- 75 mph again based off of winds in the upper
tier of the mixing layer remain around 60-70 knots. Think that
winds this strong may be a bit more sporadic and not as
consistent as what occurred overnight. Overall wind gusts should
consistently be in the 55-65 mph range with the strongest being
east of Highway 25 where the jet is strongest. Winds are
forecast to gradually decline west to east starting in the early
afternoon before completely eroding around 5pm MT to 6pm CT as
the nocturnal inversion resets in.

Blowing dust is again a concern for the entire area but with the
main area of concern being along and east of a Hitchcock to Logan
county line. This is where winds are forecast to be strongest along
with steep low level lapse rates around 9-10 C/km and capping mid
level lapse rates around 4-5 c/km. Still not anticipating any
haboob potential but have concerns about plumes perhaps numerous
plumes of dust with less than quarter mile visibility potential
developing through the day. The peak time for concern will
start around 10am CT and last through around 4pm CT when winds
begin to weaken.

As for the fire weather, went ahead and started the Red Flag Warning
overnight due to multiple fires already in Yuma county. Have brought
dew points down some due to anticipated mixing leading to
humidity values in the mid teens to mid 20s across the area.
Despite the humidity being in the mid 20s with winds of 60-75
mph any fire that starts will have the potential to spread very
quickly and be dangerous.

Friday, a surface low is forecast to again develop along or just
north of the Nebraska/Kansas state line. Watching for some
breezy downslope winds gusting to 30 mph across the Colorado
counties along with humidity in the mid teens which may lead to
some critical fire weather conditions. If the low sets up to far
south then winds may actually be lighter thusly mitigating any
further fire weather threat which is what the deterministic
guidance has trended towards. Will let another round of guidance
come in before introducing any product. High temperatures for
the day are forecast in the low 60s to the east and low 70s. The
potential for higher temperatures is certainly on the table
with the southwesterly "furnace wind" in place leading to record
highs being in jeopardy for the day. A cold front is then
forecast to move through during the night shifting winds to the
north and overnight lows in the low to mid 20s for Saturday
morning.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 223 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

Starting the extended period Saturday; 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. Winds are
currently forecast to be lighter with the exception of Sunday with a
surface trough pushes through leading to the potential for 30-35 mph
wind gusts across the western portion of the area. At this time
humidity values are forecast to be above 30% and not seeing any
other signal of them dropping significantly.

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 to low 70s and perhaps some record high
potential on Monday with winds generally below 20 mph are forecast,
along with dry conditions.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 415 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

Current decline in winds is forecast to be short lived as winds
are forecast to start increasing again around 15Z with 40-55
knot winds forecast; strongest at MCK. Blowing dust is a concern
with the potential for IFR to MVFR visibilities; perhaps even
lower if a dust plume can fully encompass a terminal where less
than 1 mile visibility would be possible. Winds are forecast to
end west to east starting early afternoon and continue through
the remainder of the afternoon. Winds are forecast to shift
overnight and become more southerly towards the latter part of
the period.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 223 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

Fire weather concerns remain high for today as winds are again
forecast to strengthen as the nocturnal inversion wanes around
9-10am MT. Despite humidity values being in the low to mid 20s
which is above our humidity criteria of 15% with the potential
for wind gusts around 70 mph any fire that were to start will
have the potential to spread rapidly and be extremely dangerous
as GFDI (Grassland Fire Danger Index) in the extreme values for
most for the majority of the forecast area. I do have concerns
of the higher end of the wind gust spectrum panning out for
today due to mixing heights of 4500-5000' which would put the
top of the mixing level in a 60-70 knot jet. So would not be
surprised if some 75-80 mph gusts occur especially across
eastern portions of the forecast area. Blowing dust is a concern
as well for the area which would make responding to any fire
extremely difficult. There has also been a few cases over the
past few years where static buildup from dust has led to new
fire starts so that is something to be aware of.

Friday, again watching for the potential for some critical fire
weather across Yuma, Kit Carson and Cheyenne counties in
Colorado. There is some question on the winds however which will
be dependent on where a surface low develops at. So continue to
monitor for any changes to the forecast for that.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 223 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

Record high temperatures are in jeopardy Friday the 19th.

Goodland: Record high 68 in 2023.... current forecast 70.

McCook: Record high 63 in 1941, 1966 2023.... current forecast 63.

Hill City: Record high 67 in 1949... current forecast 61.

Burlington: Record high 70 in 1979.... current forecast 69.

&&

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

&&

SHORT TERM...Trigg
LONG TERM...Trigg/KAK
AVIATION...Trigg
FIRE WEATHER...Trigg
CLIMATE...Trigg

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 18, 3:29 AM CST, 5 hours 46 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Goodland KS
229 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

COZ090>092-KSZ001>004-013>016-027>029-041-042-NEZ079>081-190930-
Yuma-Kit Carson-Cheyenne-Rawlins-Decatur-Norton-Sherman-Thomas-
Sheridan-Graham-Wallace-Logan-Gove-Greeley-Wichita-Dundy-Hitchcock-
Red Willow-
229 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025 /329 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025/

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

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

A High Wind Warning remains in effect as strong winds near 40 mph
and gusts around 60-65 mph are forecast 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 and last
through the afternoon, 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.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.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 18, 4:43 AM CST, 4 hours 32 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Goodland KS
343 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

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

1016 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 ENE Caruso            39.35N 101.78W
12/17/2025  M85 MPH          Sherman            KS   Public

            personal weather station reports.

1015 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NNE Goodland          39.37N 101.70W
12/17/2025  M84 MPH          Sherman            KS   ASOS

            KGLD ASOS reports the gust along with 58 mph
            sustained winds.

0903 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 W Wray                40.08N 102.29W
12/17/2025  M83 MPH          Yuma               CO   Mesonet

            Wunderground site KCOWRAY25.

1010 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NNE Goodland          39.37N 101.70W
12/17/2025  M83 MPH          Sherman            KS   ASOS

            KGLD ASOS reports the wind gust with 57 mph
            sustained winds.

0859 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 W Wray                40.08N 102.28W
12/17/2025  M81 MPH          Yuma               CO   Mesonet

            Weather underground site KCOWRAY25.

1104 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 10 NE Wallace           39.01N 101.46W
12/17/2025  M81 MPH          Logan              KS   Mesonet

            Delayed report. AWN Section 17.

1107 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 10 NE Wallace           39.01N 101.46W
12/17/2025  M81 MPH          Logan              KS   Mesonet

            Ambient weather site section 17.

1045 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Hale                    39.63N 102.12W
12/17/2025  M80 MPH          Yuma               CO   Mesonet

            Mesonet station TT563 South Republican.

0920 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Saint Francis     39.76N 101.80W
12/17/2025  M79 MPH          Cheyenne           KS   AWOS

            1 and one half mile in dust reported as
            well. The AWOS at KSYF reports this.

0937 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NNE Goodland          39.37N 101.70W
12/17/2025  M78 MPH          Sherman            KS   ASOS

            KGLD ASOS reports the gust.

0957 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 10 NE Wallace           39.01N 101.46W
12/17/2025  M78 MPH          Logan              KS   Mesonet

            Ambient weather site section 17.

1010 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 N Page City           39.21N 101.13W
12/17/2025  M77 MPH          Thomas             KS   Mesonet

            Ambient weather site Summers646.

1019 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 13 NNW Ruleton          39.52N 101.93W
12/17/2025  M76 MPH          Sherman            KS   Mesonet

            Weather underground site KKSKANOR6.

1053 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 5 S Burlington          39.23N 102.28W
12/17/2025  M76 MPH          Kit Carson         CO   ASOS

            ASOS station KITR Burlington Co Airport.

1135 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Saint Francis     39.76N 101.80W
12/17/2025  M76 MPH          Cheyenne           KS   Mesonet

            Delayed report. PWS-KKSSAINT20.

0928 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NE Idalia             39.75N 102.26W
12/17/2025  M75 MPH          Yuma               CO   Mesonet

            CDOT site CO047 reports the gust.

0959 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 NNE Culbertson        40.34N 100.80W
12/17/2025  M75 MPH          Hitchcock          NE   Mesonet

            Ambient Weather site Weather Station HOCK
            reports the wind guts.

1059 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 NNE Culbertson        40.34N 100.80W
12/17/2025  M75 MPH          Hitchcock          NE   Mesonet

            Delayed report. AWN Hock.

0934 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NNE Goodland          39.37N 101.70W
12/17/2025  M74 MPH          Sherman            KS   ASOS

            KGLD ASOS reports the wind gust along with
            2SM in blowing dust.

1006 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 4 N Ludell              39.90N 100.96W
12/17/2025  M72 MPH          Rawlins            KS   Public

            Delayed report. KS Ludell 3N.

1059 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 S Stratton            40.03N 101.23W
12/17/2025  M72 MPH          Hitchcock          NE   Mesonet

            Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report
            from 9 S Stratton. Delayed report. AWN
            Lorens Farm.

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.

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

            Ambient weather station.

0923 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 NNE Goodland          39.37N 101.70W
12/17/2025  M69 MPH          Sherman            KS   ASOS

            KGLD reported the wind gust.

1144 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Rexford                 39.47N 100.74W
12/17/2025  M68 MPH          Thomas             KS   Mesonet

            Delayed report. PWS-KKSREXFO12.

0931 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 14 NNW Benkelman        40.23N 101.64W
12/17/2025  M66 MPH          Dundy              NE   Mesonet

            Delayed report. PWS-KNEBENKE18 reported
            gust.

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.

1130 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SW Russell Springs    38.89N 101.22W
12/17/2025  M64 MPH          Logan              KS   Mesonet

            Delayed report. KS Russell Springs 3SW.

1135 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 16 SSE Wallace          38.70N 101.47W
12/17/2025  M64 MPH          Logan              KS   Mesonet

            Delayed report. PWS-KKSWALLA4.

1035 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 SSW Firstview         38.80N 102.55W
12/17/2025  M63 MPH          Cheyenne           CO   Mesonet

            Delayed report. PWS-KCOCHEYE8 reported gust.

1035 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Oberlin           39.83N 100.53W
12/17/2025  M63 MPH          Decatur            KS   AWOS

            Delayed report. AWOS station KOIN Oberlin.

1045 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 E Cheyenne Wells      38.82N 102.33W
12/17/2025  M63 MPH          Cheyenne           CO   Mesonet

            Delayed report. PWS-COCHEYE2 reported gust.

0937 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 17 N Flagler            39.53N 103.02W
12/17/2025  M62 MPH          Kit Carson         CO   Mesonet

            Delayed report. E7003 reported 62 MPH gust.

0915 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SSE Saint Francis     39.76N 101.80W
12/17/2025  M62 MPH          Cheyenne           KS   AWOS

            KSYF at St. Francis Airport reported the
            wind gust.

1115 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NNW Oberlin           39.83N 100.53W
12/17/2025  M62 MPH          Decatur            KS   AWOS

            AWOS station KOIN Oberlin.

1144 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 9 SSE Sharon Springs    38.77N 101.68W
12/17/2025  M62 MPH          Wallace            KS   Mesonet

            Mesonet station CW6099 9 SSE Sharon Springs.

1020 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Mt. Sunflower           39.02N 102.04W
12/17/2025  M61 MPH          Wallace            KS   Mesonet

            Delayed report. PWS-KKSWESKA9.

1155 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SE Oakley             39.10N 100.82W
12/17/2025  M61 MPH          Logan              KS   AWOS

            Delayed report. AWOS station KOEL 2 ESE
            Oakley.

0830 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 ENE Clarkville        40.42N 102.47W
12/17/2025  M60 MPH          Yuma               CO   Mesonet

            Delayed report. CSU50 reported 60 MPH gust.

1129 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 2 E Mccook              40.20N 100.58W
12/17/2025  M60 MPH          Red Willow         NE   ASOS

            Corrects previous non-tstm wnd gst report
            from 2 E Mccook. Delayed report. ASOS
            station KMCK McCook Airport.

1142 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 6 N Grainfield          39.21N 100.46W
12/17/2025  M60 MPH          Sheridan           KS   Mesonet

            Delayed Report. PWS-KKSGRAIN16.

1135 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 3 N Colby               39.43N 101.05W
12/17/2025  M59 MPH          Thomas             KS   AWOS

            AWOS station KCBK 2 N Colby.

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.

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

            Tallgrass Energy observation.

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.

0914 AM     Wildfire         5 N Lebanon             40.12N 100.29W
12/17/2025                   Red Willow         NE   Public

            Vegetation fire from unknown cause. Fire
            cleared by 12p mountain.

0931 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 14 NW Saint Francis     39.93N 101.97W
12/17/2025                   Cheyenne           KS   Public

            reports of flipped campers and loss of power
            at CR Z and CR 5.... could not estimate wind
            but noted it was excessive.

0935 PM     Dust Storm       14 NW Saint Francis     39.93N 101.97W
12/17/2025                   Cheyenne           KS   Public

            off and on less than one quarter mile
            visibility due to dust.

1022 PM     Wildfire         5 NE Heartstrong        40.00N 102.52W
12/17/2025                   Yuma               CO   Public

            Approximate location of a wildfire with a
            persistent smoke plume seen on radar.

1023 PM     Wildfire         2 S Kirk                39.59N 102.60W
12/17/2025                   Yuma               CO   Public

            Approximate location of a wildfire with a
            persistent smoke plume seen on radar.

&&

Local storm report, Dec 18, 7:01 AM CST, 2 hours 14 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
601 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

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

1047 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 10 NW Max               40.22N 101.53W
12/17/2025                   Dundy              NE   Law Enforcement

            semi with empty cattle trailer blown over
            near intersection of Hwy 61 and CR 17. no
            injuries.

&&

JTL

Local storm report, Dec 18, 7:04 AM CST, 2 hours 11 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
604 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

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

1000 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst Colby                   39.39N 101.05W
12/17/2025  M73 MPH          Thomas             KS   Public

            measured in town.

&&

JTL

Local storm report, Dec 18, 8:56 AM CST, 19 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
756 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

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

0749 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 NNE Culbertson        40.35N 100.80W
12/18/2025  E66 MPH          Hitchcock          NE   Mesonet

            66 mph wind gust hock weather station.

&&

eer

Local storm report, Dec 18, 9:10 AM CST, 5 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Goodland KS
810 AM MST Thu Dec 18 2025

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

0747 AM     Non-Tstm Wnd Gst 8 NNE Culbertson        40.34N 100.80W
12/18/2025  M74 MPH          Hitchcock          NE   Mesonet

            74 mph gust hock weather station.

&&

eer

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

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

High Wind, Norton

When: December 18, 9:15 AM CST to 1:15 PM CST
Where: Norton forecast zone
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.784, -99.903 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Kansas Mesonet site named Norton 4 SW recorded a wind gust of 67 mph. The Norton Airport AWOS (KNRN) recorded a wind gust of 59 and 62 mph. 60 mph wind gusts were also recorded on a Tempest weather station in Norton and WeatherUnderground site located 7 SSE Norton named KKSNORTO2.

High Wind, Thomas

When: December 18, 9:23 AM CST to 1:54 PM CST
Where: Thomas forecast zone
Measured: 66 kt (76 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.351, -101.055 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An Ambient Weather Station named My_Weather which is located in Rexford recorded wind gusts of 70 and 76 mph; a WeatherUnderground station in Rexford also recorded a 68 mph wind gust. A WeatherUnderground site named KKSCOLBY28 located 9 N Page City recorded a 69 and a 70 mph wind gust. A mesonet station named FW6347 Colby 2E recorded wind gusts of 59 and 67 mph. The AWOS at the Colby Airport and the Kansas Mesonet site named Colby which 1 WNW Colby both recorded wind gusts of 58, 59 and 63 mph.

High Wind, Decatur

When: December 18, 9:34 AM CST to 12:33 PM CST
Where: Decatur forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.785, -100.460 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The WeatherUnderground station named KKSOBERL22 located 3 ENE Herndon recorded a 69 mph wind gust. The same site also had wind gusts of 60 and 62 mph. The Kansas Mesonet site named Oberlin 7 NE recorded a 65 mph wind gust. The Oberlin Airport AWOS (KOIN) recorded a 62 mph wind gust. Ambient Weather site named Dan_Wasson recorded a 59 mph wind gust which is located in Oberlin.

High Wind, Cheyenne

When: December 18, 9:43 AM CST to 1:37 PM CST
Where: Cheyenne forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.786, -101.731 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Ambient Weather Station named Hendricks_1420_Road25 which is located 4 WNW Bird City recorded the 65 mph wind gust; the same site also recorded a 63, 60 and 58 mph gust. The WeatherUnderground site named KKSSAINT20 located in St. Francis recorded wind gusts of 62 mph on three occasions. The Kansas Mesonet site located 10 S St Francis recorded wind gusts of 59 and 60 mph.

High Wind, Sherman

When: December 18, 8:53 AM MST to 12:20 PM MST
Where: Sherman forecast zone
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 39.351, -101.720 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The ASOS at the Goodland Airport (KGLD) recorded wind gusts of 60, 62, 66 and 68 mph. The 68 mph wind gusts occurred on three occasions.

High Wind, Sheridan

When: December 18, 10:05 AM CST
Where: Sheridan forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.350, -100.442 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An Ambient Weather Site in the town of Seldon recorded a 60 mph wind gust.

High Wind, Wichita

When: December 18, 10:10 AM CST to 11:18 AM CST
Where: Wichita forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.482, -101.347 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two separate weather stations located 8 N Marienthal (Ambient Weather site named 8MileN and WeatherUnderground site named KKSLEOTI31) recorded 65 mph wind gusts. The Ambient weather site also recorded a 58 mph gust before the 65 mph gust. The Kansas Mesonet site named Leoti also recorded a 58 mph wind gust.

High Wind, Logan

When: December 18, 10:21 AM CST to 1:19 PM 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)

An Ambient Weather station named Section 17 located 10 NE Wallace recorded wind gusts of 60, 64, 68, 76 and 81 mph. The Kansas Mesonet site named RussellSprings3SW recorded wind gusts of 57, 59, 62 and 64 mph. A WeatherUnderground site named KKSWALLA4 located 16 SSE Wallace recorded wind gusts of 58 and 61 mph. The AWOS named KOEL located at the Oakley Airport recorded wind gusts of 58 mph.

High Wind, Graham

When: December 18, 10:29 AM CST to 12:41 PM CST
Where: Graham forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 39.350, -99.883 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Hill City Airport ASOS named KHLC recorded multiple wind gusts ranging from 59-69 mph. A WeatherLink station named WL-HILLCITY0.29W located in Hill City recorded wind gusts of 58 and 59 mph.

High Wind, Gove

When: December 18, 10:32 AM CST to 10:40 AM CST
Where: Gove forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 38.916, -100.483 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Kansas Mesonet site named Gove5SE recorded a 60 mph wind gust. A KDOT weather site named K5OK7 I70 recorded wind gusts of 59 mph on two occasions. An Ambient Weather site located 10 S Gove also recorded a 57 mph gust.

High Wind, Rawlins

When: December 18, 10:52 AM CST to 12:27 PM CST
Where: Rawlins forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 39.785, -101.076 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Kansas Mesonet site named Ludell3N recorded wind gusts of 58,59 and 62 mph.

Dust Storm, Sheridan

When: December 18, 12:02 PM CST to 1:02 PM CST
Where: Sheridan forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.350, -100.442 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Zero visibility reported west of Hoxie, between County Roads 60 and 80 on Highway 24. Highway 24 closed between Colby and Hoxie.

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: 1299934, 1299939, 1299930, 1299929, 1299938, 1299936, 1299940, 1299933, 1299932, 1299931, 1299935, 1299937.