textproduct: Dodge City

KEY MESSAGES

- Isolated strong to severe thunderstorm potential today; strong downburst winds, hail, and heavy rainfall the greatest risks

- Heat continues for a few more days; cool down on the way with continued precipitation chances

DISCUSSION

Issued at 108 AM CDT Sat Sep 12 2026

Mesoanalysis this morning depicts an enhanced wave situated across the northern Plains with its attendant cold front crossing into northern Kansas. This cold front will continue to move southward throughout the day and eventually slow and perhaps stall across the forecast area. The boundary will serve as a focus for scattered thunderstorms later this afternoon and this evening. Have pushed POPs a tad earlier than NBM had given to account for HREF members indicating development between 21-23z. Environment will be conducive for at least isolated severe thunderstorm potential given steep low-level lapse rates, increased 0-6km bulk shear of 30-40 knots, and MLCAPE 2500-3000 J/kg along and ahead of the boundary. This environment would yield the potential for isolated instances of damaging wet microbursts and severe hail. PWATs will also be around 1.3-1.5", which is exceeding the 90th percentile for today, so heavy rainfall will also be a concern. Severe weather risk will diminish into the mid to late evening, with storms still a possibility into the late evening and overnight, mainly across eastern zones.

Hot temperatures remain in the forecast for the next few days. Today, south of the cold front will climb into the mid to upper 90s, though north of the boundary will be in the 80s. Everywhere across the forecast area will get back into the 90s and even a few 100s by Sunday and Monday. Monday looks to be the hottest day with widespread upper 90s to around 100 for the entire area. Tuesday will be the beginning of more seasonable temperatures, although the area will be split once again by a cold front. Current forecast has the front positioned from Larned, through Dodge City, and down toward Liberal. Area south of that axis will remain in the 90s and close to 100 across south-central Kansas, whereas areas north will be in the upper 70s to mid 80s. It is not until Tuesday where everyone is seeing reprieve from the heat with continued seasonable temperatures for the rest of the week. Lows will generally remain in the mid to upper 60s to low 70s to start the forecast period, but some 50s and low 60s could work their way into late week next week. Precipitation chances remain elevated in the forecast nearly every day with some varying level of chance and placement through the forecast period.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 540 AM CDT Sat Sep 12 2026

VFR flying conditions this TAF cycle for all terminals. Current light and variable winds will increase out of the north by mid/late morning, becoming sustained in the 12-15 kt range gusting to 20-25 kts as a cold front moves through southwest KS. After sunset, winds will relax back to light and variable through the end of the period.

DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.