Use of Wind Advisories Ceases in High Plains

The National Weather Service typically issues wind advisories for sustained winds of 30-39mph and gusts to 45-57mph. If wind speeds are any higher, high wind warnings are issued. High wind events are very common across portions of the Great Plains where flat topography provides very little frictional resistance of surface winds.

The National Weather Service offices in Hastings (NE), North Platte (NE), Goodland (KS), and Dodge City (KS) have recently decided that wind advisories are no longer necessary in these forecast areas due to the frequency of high wind events. Beginning November 1, these offices will stop issuing wind advisories. Here is a statement from the National Weather Service:

“The Central High Plains National Weather Service Forecast Offices solicited input from users in a public online survey from April 28th to July 29th to evaluate the impacts of winds meeting advisory criteria. Input gained from users revealed that few take action to mitigate the effect of such winds, since they are so common in the High Plains. Advisories should be issued only for meteorological events that are rare and pose a threat to safety or have an economic impact, and user input showed that wind advisories do not meet this standard on the central High Plains.”

These forecast offices will still be able to issue high wind warnings and dust storm products.