Blowing Dust Forces I-70 Closure in Western Kansas, High Winds Reported Across Region

by Derek White

Western Kansas drivers faced dangerous travel conditions this week as blowing dust and powerful wind gusts forced the closure of Interstate 70 between Colby and the Colorado state line. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) shut down both eastbound and westbound lanes on Wednesday, May 14, citing severely reduced visibility and travel hazards caused by dust storms sweeping across the plains.

By Thursday morning, KDOT had reopened the stretch of I-70, restoring access to one of the state’s most vital east-west transportation corridors. Travelers were encouraged to check up-to-date road conditions by visiting kandrive.govor by calling 511 within Kansas.

The dust storm was part of a larger system that brought widespread high winds and spotty hail across northwest and western Kansas. According to KSN's Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman, wind gusts of 60 to 86 miles per hour were recorded across multiple counties, causing additional hazards and minor damage.

One of the most intense wind gusts—clocked at 86 mph—was recorded four miles north of Ludell in Rawlins County, and it was reported that a large tree with a 34-inch diameter trunk was reportedly uprooted in Herndon. In neighboring counties, gusts reached 75 mph in Scott County and Dighton in Lane County, while 73 mph winds were also reported near McDonald in Cheyenne County.

Other notable wind readings included:

• 67 mph south of Oakley in Logan County

• 64 mph near Russell Springs in Logan County

• 60 mph near Brewster and Ruleton in Sherman County

• 58 mph in Goodland and near Wheeler in Cheyenne County

  
  

In addition to the dust, hail ranging in size from quarters to half-dollars was reported in St. Francis.

Though the highway has reopened, officials are urging continued caution, as wind-related weather can change rapidly. Motorists traveling through western Kansas are advised to remain alert, especially during windy conditions that may kick up dust with little warning.

As farming activity increases in the spring, combined with dry soil and sustained winds, dust storms remain a recurring challenge for rural western Kansas. Road closures like this serve as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to sudden, severe weather events.