A vigorous upper low pressure system moved across the region during the day. Behind the system, strong winds aloft mixed down to the surface with wind gusts of 50 to 70 mph producing localized dust storms, vehicle accidents and road closures.  Interstate 70 was closed between Limon, Colorado and Goodland, Kansas due to zero visibility and strong winds, with road closures also occurring on adjacent U.S., state and county roads. Law enforcement reported near zero visibility at times in blowing dirt in Kit Carson County Colorado, as well as Greeley, Wallace and Sherman Counties in western Kansas.

Dust Storm in GREELEY, KANSAS
From 23-SEP-13 10:30:00 to 23-SEP-13 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Strong northwest winds developed late in the morning and continued through the afternoon. Peak wind gusts estimated at 60 mph from nearby mesonet sites, as well as zero visibility in blowing dirt, resulted in numerous traffic accidents involving a total of 10 vehicles. One accident three miles north of Tribune involved five semitrailers.  When one trucker tried to turn around due to poor visibility, a multiple vehicle accident ensued resulting in one injury. Two other accidents occurred in the far western portion of the county on Highway 96. Highways 27 and 96 were both closed to traffic for several hours during the afternoon.

Dust Storm in SHERMAN, KANSAS
From 23-SEP-13 14:00:00 to 23-SEP-13 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Near zero visibility was reported at the Sherman-Wallace county border by law enforcement who were working a two-car accident at the county line. No injuries were reported. Numerous mesonet sites in the area were reporting several hours of peak wind gusts near 60 mph.

High Wind in SHERMAN, KANSAS
From 23-SEP-13 14:00:00 to 23-SEP-13 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong winds developed during the afternoon with gusts to 60 mph producing blowing dirt and wind damage.  Interstate 70 and Highway 27 were closed due to poor visibility. A mesonet station west of Goodland reported a peak gust of 61 mph while the Goodland ASOS recorded a 58 mph gust. A grain drier was blown off its support and onto a railroad car in south Goodland as a result of the strong winds.

High Wind in WALLACE, KANSAS
From 23-SEP-13 13:00:00 to 23-SEP-13 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong winds developed during the afternoon with gusts estimated at 60 mph producing blowing dirt and at least one vehicle accident.  Highway 27 was closed from Tribune to Goodland due to visibility near zero at times.  Mesonet stations in the area reported peak wind gusts of 60 mph.

Dust Storm in WALLACE, KANSAS
From 23-SEP-13 13:00:00 to 23-SEP-13 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Near zero visibility was reported at the Sherman-Wallace county border by law enforcement who were working a two-car accident at the county line just into Wallace county. No injuries were reported. Numerous mesonet sites in the area were reporting several hours of peak wind gusts near 60 mph.

High Wind in GREELEY, KANSAS
From 23-SEP-13 10:30:00 to 23-SEP-13 16:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong northwest winds developed late in the morning and continued through the afternoon. Peak wind gusts estimated at 60 mph from nearby mesonet sites, as well as zero visibility in blowing dirt, resulted in numerous traffic accidents involving a total of 10 vehicles and one injury. Highways 27 and 96 were both closed to traffic for several hours during the afternoon.