Severe Weather Batters the NWKS Radio Listening Area: High Winds, Dust Storms, and Hail
- Kristina Hemel
- May 14
- 3 min read
Tuesday, May 14, 2025 at 10:24 pm cst
The NWKS Radio listening area experienced a night of severe weather tonight, May 14, 2025, that many won’t soon forget. While forecasters had warned this could happen, the reality of the evening storm system proved to be as intense—and in some places, even more disruptive—than anticipated.
A cold front moving in from the west brought with it a violent line of storms, gusting winds, and widespread blowing dust. The evening began with severe thunderstorm warnings issued as early as 6:10 PM MDT across our tri-state region.
First Severe Storms Hit Around 7:20 PM
By 7:20 PM, the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for southeastern Yuma County, Colorado. Radar indicated a storm system 8 miles northwest of Bonny Reservoir, moving northeast at 30 mph and producing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. Locations including Bonny Reservoir, Hale, and Idalia were affected, with damage to vehicles, roofs, siding, and trees expected.
Simultaneously, another severe storm warning was posted for:
Yuma County, CO
Northwestern Cheyenne County, KS
Western Dundy County, NE
This storm was part of a larger line stretching from south of Highland Center to northeast of Cope, moving east at 25 mph. Hail the size of half-dollars and dangerous winds were reported. NWKS Radio listeners in St. Francis, KS, shared reports of pea-sized hail, but the storm gradually weakened as it moved east.
Dust Storm Emergency Unfolds
As storms waned, the wind only intensified. The real threat turned to blowing dust—and lots of it. At 7:23 PM MDT, the National Weather Service in Goodland issued a Dust Storm Warning for: Cheyenne, Rawlins, Sherman, and Thomas Counties in northwest Kansas,
A wall of dust, traveling east at 65 mph, reduced visibility to near zero. Listeners described conditions where they couldn’t see the taillights in front of them, and law enforcement agencies took immediate action.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and local emergency management shut down both eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 70, along with Highway 24 from the Kansas-Colorado state line to Colby. As of 10:30 PM CST, those closures remained in effect due to the hazardous conditions.
Wind Speeds Across the Region (Reported at 10 PM CST):
Goodland, KS: NW 39 mph, gusts to 54 mph
McCook, NE: NW 32 mph, gusts to 44 mph
Burlington, CO: NW 35 mph, gusts to 51 mph
Atwood, KS: NW 38 mph, gusts to 52 mph
Colby, KS: NW 44 mph, gusts to 60 mph
Sharon Springs, KS: NW 35 mph, gusts to 53 mph
St. Francis, KS: NW 36 mph, gusts to 46 mph
Oakley, KS: NW 48 mph, gusts to 61 mph
A Dry Storm for Most
Unfortunately, while clouds, thunder, and lightning swept across much of the area, most communities did not receive meaningful moisture. Instead, residents were left to contend with dust-covered roads, bent road signs, and debris-littered streets. The true extent of the damage won’t be known until daylight reveals the aftermath.
Stay Safe and Stay Tuned
The Dust Advisory and High Wind Warning remain in effect through the early hours of Wednesday morning. While the storms may have passed, the wind isn’t done yet.
NWKS Radio thanks our partners, including Meteorologist Chris Sramek from Decision Weather in Atwood, KS, for providing up-to-the-minute updates throughout the night. Our stations—100.3 The Ride, FlyOver Country 97.9, 730 Goodland’s Gold KLOE, KXXX 790, and RockIt 102.5—will continue bringing you live coverage and the latest updates on road conditions and cleanup efforts.
Stay with NWKS Radio for continued storm coverage, and remember—when dust storms strike, pull aside, stay alive.
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