Dust Storm — Ellsworth, Kansas

2024-06-02 · Ellsworth, Kansas

Event narrative

Kansas Highway Patrol reported an accident occurred after a driver slowed down due to due to blowing dust and no visibility along Interstate 70. Three individuals were transported to the hospital with injuries.

Wider weather episode

A complex of severe thunderstorms in western Kansas and northwest Oklahoma encroached on the region during the night of 1st of June and into early morning hours of 2 June. These decaying thunderstorms produces strong wake low winds as they decayed when entering the region. The strong winds occurred over the region during the early morning of the 2nd with wind gusts up to 60 mph reported in south central Kansas. Blowing dust was also prevalent across parts of north central Kansas during this time. The dust reduced the visibilities along I-70 contributing to an injury accident. A high wind warning was issued for south central Kansas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1199139. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.