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Fire Weather Concerns and Severe Weather

Dry and breezy conditions will bring elevated to critical fire weather conditions across portions of the northern and central High Plains through this weekend, where fuels remain largely receptive. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are possible from the Plains into the Upper Midwest, as well as in the Ohio Valley and portions of the Mid-Atlantic through this weekend. Read More >

Overview

On the afternoon of May 12, 2022 strong winds gusting to around 70mph behind a cold front lofted dust into the air. The cloud of dust quickly consolidated into a Dust Storm just behind the front as it pushed across southwest Nebraska. The Dust Storm produced near zero visibility and resulted in multiple vehicle accidents including a multi vehicle pileup on highway 30 near mile marker 160. This memorable event produced many stunning images that will not soon be forgotten!

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GOES-East GeoColor satellite image of Dust Storm moving across southwest Nebraska during the afternoon of May 12, 2022.
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Dust storm in progress at 2:26PM MDT in Grant, Nebraska (image courtesy of Lacey Parker via Facebook). Dust cloud approaching the NWS North Platte, Nebraska Weather Forecast Office 4:16PM CDT. Dust Storm in progress at the NWS North Platte, Nebraska Weather Forecast Office 4:27PM CDT.
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