Dodge City, Kansas – Residents across five states are under a severe thunderstorm watch this evening as powerful storms spread across the Southern Plains. The watch, in effect from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. CDT Friday, includes portions of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, where damaging winds, large hail, and even the possibility of a tornado threaten communities.
According to the National Weather Service, the storms are expected to intensify through the evening. The watch highlights the potential for hail up to ping pong ball size, wind gusts near 60 mph, and the chance for a tornado or two, particularly as unstable air combines with strong upper-level winds.
In southwest Kansas, counties under the alert include Hamilton, Stanton, Morton, Kearny, Grant, and Stevens. Farther west, the threat extends into southeast Colorado, with cities such as La Junta, Lamar, and Trinidad included in the watch area. In northeast New Mexico, residents in Las Vegas and Tucumcari are advised to stay weather-aware as the storms track east. The Oklahoma Panhandle city of Guymon is also in the impact zone, along with the Texas Panhandle communities of Dalhart and Hereford, where some of the strongest wind gusts may occur.
Travel could become especially hazardous along major routes including Highway 54, U.S. 287, and Interstate 25. Motorists are advised to use extreme caution, as sudden bursts of hail and reduced visibility from high winds and heavy rainfall may force drivers to pull over until conditions improve.
Emergency officials are urging residents throughout the region to secure loose outdoor items, charge mobile devices in case of power outages, and move to sturdy shelter if warnings are issued. Outdoor events and Friday evening activities may face disruptions, particularly as the storms strengthen after sunset.
Forecasters expect storm activity to diminish after 11 p.m., though they caution that additional alerts could be issued if storms persist or redevelop overnight. For now, much of the Southern Plains remains on high alert as the evening unfolds, with residents urged to monitor weather updates closely and act quickly should severe conditions strike.
