Drivers being warned about blowing dust, blizzard conditions in Kansas
Mar 18, 2025
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Drivers in Kansas are urged to exercise caution on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The KSN Storm Track 3 Weather team is already tracking a blowing dust warning for Wichita, Wallace, Logan and Greeley counties.
The team is also following winter weather tonight, including b
lizzard conditions for parts of northwest and northcentral Kansas. KSN Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman says, "travel will be treacherous - if not impossible."
Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman urges drivers to plan accordingly, especially this afternoon, with the potential for more blowing dust and blizzard conditions tonight.
Last week, Hileman was among the ones who worked on a fatal pileup on Interstate 70 caused by a severe dust storm in Sherman County. Eight people were killed in the incident, and it closed the highway for over a day.
The National Weather Service has compiled some tips for driving if you get caught driving in a dust storm.
If dense dust is observed blowing across or approaching a roadway, pull your vehicle off the pavement as far as possible, stop, turn off the lights, set the emergency brake, and take your foot off the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated.
Don't enter the dust storm area if you can avoid it.
If you can't pull off the roadway, proceed at a speed suitable for visibility, turn on lights and sound the horn occasionally. Use the painted center line to help guide you. Look for a safe place to pull off the roadway.
Never stop on the traveled portion of the roadway.
In the past, motorists driving in dust storms have pulled off the roadway, leaving lights on. Vehicles approaching from the rear and using the advance car's lights as a guide have inadvertently left the roadway and, in some instances, collided with the parked vehicle. Make sure all of your lights are off when you park off the roadway.
Check kandrive.gov for current road conditions and dial *47 if you need from the Kansas Highway Patrol.
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