Dodge City, Kansas – Evening travel along U.S. 50 and U.S. 83 could turn hazardous after 6 p.m. Thursday as strong to severe thunderstorms develop across southwest Kansas, bringing wind gusts up to 65 mph and hail as large as 2 inches in diameter.
According to the National Weather Service in Dodge City, a slight risk for severe weather covers much of southwest and south-central Kansas Thursday night. Storms are expected to form along and east of a dryline by late afternoon, then intensify as they move east through the evening hours. Large hail and damaging wind gusts remain the primary hazards, though a brief tornado cannot be ruled out.
Communities including Garden City, Dodge City and Pratt sit in the corridor most likely to see stronger cells. Along U.S. 83 and U.S. 400, drivers may encounter sudden crosswinds and rapidly changing visibility in heavy rain. Farther north near Hays and along Interstate 70, storms could arrive later in the evening with hail capable of damaging vehicles left outdoors.
Emergency managers urge residents to secure outdoor equipment and park vehicles in garages where possible. Have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially after sunset when storms become harder to see.
Storms should gradually shift east after midnight, but warnings may be issued quickly if supercells intensify during the evening hours Thursday.
