A strong cold front brought high winds, blowing dust, and a wildfire to Northwest Kansas. The high winds led to some wind damage across the area. In addition, the winds caused widespread blowing dust with zero visibility, which resulted in at least 2 accidents on area roadways. Finally, as the winds brought down power lines in Weskan, a wildfire began and rapidly spread.  The fire was so large that fire departments from neighboring counties were asked to respond.

Dust Storm in CHEYENNE, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 16:40:00 to 17-APR-18 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several reports of dust storm with less than quarter mile visibility reported across Cheyenne County.

Wildfire in WALLACE, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 16:02:00 to 17-APR-18 19:02:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Wildfire started just north of the town of Weskan. Cause was power lines snapped due to high winds with the cold front. Fire ran 7 miles to the southeast and reached approximately three quarters of a mile wide at times. Fire was detected by GOES-16 imagery as well as radar. At least two structures were lost along with numerous power poles. Damage to railroad and railroad bridge also noticed by NWS Employee passing through a few days later.

Dust Storm in LOGAN, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 17:12:00 to 18-APR-18 17:12:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Report of widespread blowing dust in Winona and Russell Springs, zero miles visibility in blowing dust, sand, and gravel.

Dust Storm in WALLACE, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 16:15:00 to 17-APR-18 19:15:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Fire fighters responding to wildfire had difficulty responding due to widespread near zero visibility from blowing dust.

Dust Storm in GREELEY, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 17:13:00 to 17-APR-18 18:13:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Zero visibility along highway 27 14 miles north of Tribune.

High Wind in GREELEY, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 17:00:00 to 17-APR-18 18:30:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Peak gust of 68 mph reported 1 WNW of Horace at 5:25 pm MST.

High Wind in LOGAN, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 17:12:00 to 17-APR-18 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Peak gust at 8 pm CST. Emergency manager reports signs blown over, shingles blown off roofs, window shattered, carport blown down in Oakley. Several tree limbs down, up to 7 foot in diameter. A small comms tower went down at Dispatch.

High Wind in WALLACE, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 16:00:00 to 17-APR-18 19:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Widespread 60 to 76 mph winds across Wallace County. Peak gust of 76 mph occurred 3 miles SE of Weskan at 4:24 pm MST.

Dust Storm in WICHITA, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 17:35:00 to 17-APR-18 18:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Zero visibility from blowing dust reported 13 miles NNW of Leoti.

High Wind in CHEYENNE, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 17:35:00 to 17-APR-18 19:35:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Peak gust of 5:19 pm CST in St Francis...measured at 73 mph. Power poles snapped 1 mile north of Sherman/Cheyenne county line on road 20. Poles leaning on HWY 161 near Road U 7 miles north of Bird City. Small building collapsed near Road 24 and W, approximately 10 miles NNW of Bird City.

Dust Storm in RAWLINS, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 17:53:00 to 17-APR-18 19:53:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Less than one quarter mile visibility in McDonald due to blowing dust.

High Wind in RAWLINS, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 18:48:00 to 17-APR-18 19:48:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 57.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in SHERMAN, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 15:05:00 to 17-APR-18 17:10:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind gusts to 77 mph across Sherman County, peak reported at KGLD at 3:28 pm MST. Observations at ASOS in Goodland, mesonet in Ruleton, 8 miles northeast of Goodland. A few downed trees and powerlines reported by dispatch in Goodland.

High Wind in SHERMAN, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 20:15:00 to 17-APR-18 22:05:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Second instance of high winds recorded at Goodland Municipal Airport. Peak reported at 8:29 pm MST.

Dust Storm in SHERMAN, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 15:45:00 to 17-APR-18 17:50:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Visibility less than one quarter mile reported by NWS employees (at office and 9 miles NE Goodland) in addition to public on I-70 in Edson.

High Wind in THOMAS, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 17:58:00 to 17-APR-18 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Peak wind gust of 73 mph recorded 4 ENE Gem at 7:23 pm CST.

Dust Storm in GOVE, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 17:30:00 to 17-APR-18 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Fifty yard visibility reported at Monument Rocks relayed via social media. Visibility less than one quarter mile due to blowing dust in Grinnell. Dust storm visible on KDOT cameras on I-70 just east of Grainfield and 2 miles east of Grainfield. Social media report of quarter mile visibility in Quinter. At least one accident involving two vehicles occurred on I-70 near Grainfield due to the blowing dust.

High Wind in GOVE, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 18:44:00 to 17-APR-18 20:44:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind gusts up to 65 mph in Gove County. Peak was 10 miles south of Gove at 6:44 pm CST. Shingles blown off and 1 inch tree limbs broken in Grainfield. Report of a building collapse in Grainfield.

Dust Storm in THOMAS, KANSAS
From 17-APR-18 18:45:00 to 17-APR-18 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Dust storm moved across Thomas county with several reports of near zero visibility. One accident occurred on HWY 24 five miles east of Colby. 3 vehicles involved with at least 5 injuries.