High Wind — Smith, Kansas

2025-03-04 to 2025-03-05 · Smith, Kansas

Event narrative

The peak measured wind gust was 68 MPH, recorded by the Smith Center Airport AWOS.

Wider weather episode

A deep surface low pressure, which dropped down to near 988mb, passed just south of the Nebraska/Kansas state line the morning of the 4th. This system, paired with a corridor of strong northerly 50-65 mph just above the surface, drove widespread gusty north-northwesterly winds. While peak gusts across the area were mainly in the 50-65 MPH range, a handful of automated sensors measured gusts of 65-70 MPH, peaking in the afternoon-evenings hours between 4-9 PM CST on the 4th. Some of the strongest wind gusts across the region included 70 MPH at the Grand Island Central Nebraska Regional Airport, 68 MPH at the Hastings Airport, and 68 MPH at the Smith Center Airport.

A band of light rain spread from west to east across the area primarily between 11AM to 2PM CST on the 4th, later transitioning to snow and a few areas of sleet between 2-4PM CST. The mix of gusty winds and some isolated and at times heavier snow bands produced a few isolated spots of lowered visibility, with most locations only receiving a light dusting. The light snow began to clear out of the area between 7-10PM CST as the system pulled off and away to the east.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1248740. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.