Wind and dust force I-70 closing in northwest Kansas

High winds and low visibility have prompted the closings of some highways in northwest Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Transportation shut down Interstate 70 from Colby to the Colorado border at mid-afternoon Thursday. Sections of Kansas 27 and U.S. Highways 36 and 83 in Sherman, Cheyenne, Rawlins, Thomas and Sheridan counties were also closed.

In Goodland, the National Weather Service reported winds of 45 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Winds of similar speeds throughout the area kicked up heavy dust and threatened to blow vehicles off roads.

Authorities in Cheyenne County reported the wind caused a tractor-trailer to roll over on U.S. 36 west of St. Francis.

This story was originally published January 16, 2014 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Wind and dust force I-70 closing in northwest Kansas."