LJWorld.com / Weather Service expanding advisories

Archive for Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Forecasts include warning about blowing dirt, reduced visibility

The Associated Press

June 9, 2004

GOODLAND — After four years of persistent drought in parts of northwest Kansas, the National Weather Service's office here is calling more attention to high winds that increase the risk of blowing dirt.

When a storm system is developing, forecasts are more likely to routinely include not only information about the chance of rain, but word that winds could be strong enough to whip up enough blowing dirt to cut visibility for motorists traveling through the area.

Winds of 50 to 55 mph are strong enough to reduce visibility. So Dave Floyd, warning coordination meteorologist in the service's Goodland office, said advisories were being posted even when there was little chance that winds would approach the intensity of a severe thunderstorm.

Two people, including Sen. Stan Clark, of Oakley, were killed in Interstate 70 traffic accidents after dust storms caused a sharp drop in visibility over much of the area on May 29 and 30. The blowing dust also reduced visibility last Friday, and again on Tuesday a wind advisory was in effect for parts of central and western Kansas, where gusts of up to 45 mph were forecast.

"We haven't had anyone killed by tornadoes," Floyd said, but there have been two deaths as a result of the blowing dirt. "As long as we continue with the drought, we're going to see more of that."

There is no immediate end in sight. The forecast calls for the drought to continue through at least August.