039
NOUS43 KGLD 151200
PNSGLD

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
600 AM MDT Sat Mar 15 2025

...ON THIS DATE IN WEATHER HISTORY...

In 1916, a prairie fire developed near the railroad tracks west of Leoti
during the night. Witnesses reported that the height of the flames was
so high that the entire West looked like it was on fire. Neighbors helped
one another fight the fire with brooms, old coats, or anything that could
beat the flames. Farmers plowed fireguards in the middle of night. Others
brought water to throw on the fire. Fanned by strong northwest winds,
the fire continued most of the night and finally was brought under control
west of Lakin.

In 1933, spirits rose in Rawlins County. Banks, which were ordered
closed two weeks earlier due to the Great Depression, were allowed to
reopen. Later that day, heavy rain arrived which temporarily eased drought
conditions. Atwood reported 3.38 inches of rain while McDonald recorded
4.5 inches. The northwest corner of the county received five to six inches
of rain.

In 1935, the first in a series of five dust storms in six days moved across
Sherman County, Kansas. Nice weather was reported during the morning,
but winds increased and blowing dust and dirt began in the afternoon.
By 2 PM the blowing dust was so thick that it was dark as night. Car lights
did not penetrate the darkness enough to drive, and, besides, the dust
choked most engines so driving was not possible anyway. These
conditions lasted about three hours. One resident drained the oil from
his Model T automobile the next day, and it was as thick as mud due to
all the dirt.

$$