High Wind Warning in effect beginning Wednesday in western, central Kansas

A High Wind Warning is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through midday Thursday for much of western and central Kansas. This is due to a very strong low pressure system close by.

“It will bring us very gusty winds, because this low pressure system will undergo explosive development and deepen,” said meteorologist Dan Holiday. “When that happens, a big difference between high and low pressure causes those strong wind gusts.”

Sustained winds will reach 40 to 50 miles per hour with 60 to 65 mile per hour gusts.

“Keep in mind, a severe thunderstorm is classified as 58 miles per hour or greater,” said Holiday. “It’s certainly possible we could see some minor damage with these winds. Anybody trying to travel in a high-profile vehicle or a semi or anything like that is going to be prone to tipping over, no doubt.”

This will be a fairly long-lived event, as well.

“It’s going to stay around for awhile,” said Holiday. “Not only Wednesday, but into Wednesday night. Well after dark, we could see wind gusts to 40 and 50 miles per hour. The winds will gust to 40 to 45 miles per hour through parts of western and central Kansas on Thursday, as well. It will be still somewhat breezy on Thursday night. By Thursday night, the low pressure moves on off to the east and the winds will die down by early Friday.”

Driving will be hazardous, especially on east-west oriented highways.