More Than a Forecast: NWS Goodland’s Expanding Role in Public Safety

Goodland National Weather Service building

Senator Jerry Moran recently visited the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Goodland, Kansas, to discuss staffing needs and to recognize the vital role the office plays in keeping residents safe across a broad region. The Goodland office is responsible for forecasting across a 19-county area that includes parts of northwest Kansas, southwest Nebraska, and northeast Colorado—with 13 of those counties in Kansas alone.

While forecasting is the core mission of the office, their work has expanded far beyond just predicting high temperatures or rain chances. Today, their team of 13 staff members includes lead and general forecasters, electronics technicians, an IT officer, and administrative support—all contributing to a wide range of responsibilities, from issuing aviation forecasts to supporting emergency responders with real-time data.

One of the most critical roles the Goodland office plays is in Impact-Based Decision Support Services (IDSS). This newer area of forecasting involves deploying trained staff into the field to assist during high-impact weather events—everything from major storms to wildfires. As part of this effort, staff collaborate with regional emergency managers, local officials, and other NWS offices to ensure consistent, life-saving communication across confusing borders and time zones.

That work was put to the test during one of the region’s most devastating events this year: the March 14th dust storm. Forecasters at Goodland had been monitoring conditions for days and issued early warnings highlighting the potential for a massive wall of dust. On the night before the storm, they released a detailed graphic highlighting the threat area, and the next day, they issued a warning along I-70 as the storm surged eastward. Despite their efforts, the fast-moving wall of dust led to a tragic 71-vehicle pileup near Brewster that claimed eight lives.

Picture from car pile up on I-70 in Sherman County due to dust storm March 2025

“Our sparse data network made it hard to track visibility in real-time,” staff shared, “but we used satellite tools to provide as much lead time as we could.” The team emphasized that dust storms—while less flashy than tornadoes—are the region’s deadliest weather threat.

Thanks to improved coordination and messaging strategies, the response to a recent similar event went much more smoothly. Within moments of issuing a dust storm warning, local officials shut down stretches of I-70, preventing crashes and likely saving lives.

Senator Moran praised the team’s dedication and acknowledged the emotional toll such events can have. His remarks honoring emergency responders involved in the March 14th response were read on the Senate floor and will be presented to each agency that assisted.

Additional staffing and support could allow the Goodland office to expand its growing IDSS efforts, continue improving early warnings, and maintain the high level of service their tri-state coverage area depends on.

As one forecaster put it, “We’ve moved from just sending out numbers to actually helping people make decisions that protect their lives and property. That’s where the future of weather forecasting is heading—and we’re proud to be part of it.”