High Wind — Elk, Kansas

2025-03-14 · Elk, Kansas

Event narrative

A 64 mph wind gust was measured at the Kansas State Mesonet site located about 14 miles northwest of Howard at 2:24 PM CDT. Time and duration of high winds across the county were determined by additional surrounding reports and observations.

Wider weather episode

A strong, dynamic system dug into the southern and central plains, and a swath of warm and extreme dry air punched into portions of Oklahoma along with south-central and southeast Kansas. This very dry air was accompanied by very strong southwesterly winds with gusts between 58 and 77 mph. These strong winds caused damage across a large portion of southern and eastern Kansas. Additionally, several large wildfires occurred as a result of dry and very windy conditions, one of which burned down a retirement home in Yates Center.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1243927. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.