DODGE CITY, KS — After a quiet and pleasant Thanksgiving, southwest Kansas is gearing up for a dramatic weather shift this weekend. According to the National Weather Service in Dodge City, calm skies and cool, mild air will give way to strong northwest winds Saturday, with gusts approaching 40 mph — strong enough to cause blowing dust and hazardous travel, especially in open areas.
Meteorologists say Friday will stay mild and manageable, but by Saturday morning, a tightening pressure system will send winds sweeping across the High Plains. The strongest gusts are expected from midday through late afternoon, affecting communities including Garden City, Liberal, Hays, and Dodge City.
“If northern counties see any snow Saturday,” forecasters warn, “blowing and drifting snow could quickly become a hazard,” particularly across U.S. 83, Highway 50, and I-70. Drivers are urged to keep two hands on the wheel and watch for rapidly changing visibility.
Sunday will bring lighter winds and cooler air, helping to settle any lingering dust or snow. Temperatures will hold in the 40s and 50s, but the wind chill will make it feel several degrees colder.
