textproduct: Dodge City

KEY MESSAGES

- Unseasonably warm temperatures through Thursday.

- Critical fire wx conditions continue across southwest Kansas through early this evening.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1158 AM CDT Mon Apr 6 2026

WV imagery indicates a weakening upper level ridge transitioning east through the Four Corners Region. Near the surface, a strengthening surface low remains anchored in southeast Colorado.

Dry conditions are likely to persist early in the period with the SREF indicating more of a zonal flow aloft setting up across the Western High Plains while an upper level shortwave trough tracks eastward through the Desert Southwest tonight, and farther east into the Texas Panhandle Tuesday. However, with lack of moisture/instability and less than a robust flow aloft, precip chances will remain relatively scarce across the area through late Wednesday afternoon. Still, an isolated shower or two cannot be ruled out near and along the Colorado and Oklahoma lines Tuesday night/early Wednesday as the aforementioned shortwave passes through the Texas Panhandle.

Temperatures will remain well above freezing tonight as prevailing southerlies reinforce a warmer air mass across the area while surface dewpoints hold serve generally in the 30s(F). Look for lows mainly in the lower/mid 40s(F) with the upper 30s(F) up near the I-70 corridor. High temperatures are expected to be a few degrees cooler Tuesday as a projected stalled retreating warm front is expected to lift slowly back north by afternoon. Look for highs only up into the lower 70s(F). Mid/upper 70s(F) to near 80F are forecast Wednesday as the warm front lifts north out of western Kansas.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 500 PM CDT Mon Apr 6 2026

VFR conditions are forecast for all sites through the TAF period. Clear/mostly clear skies are forecast with gusty winds of 15-25 KTs out of the south. A stalled boundary is expected to shift HYS winds out of the west and weakening them compared to the other three sites. GCK is expected to see a period of LLWS around 6-13Z with an isolated area only effecting the singular terminal.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1209 PM CDT Mon Apr 6 2026

Ongoing critical fire weather conditions in extreme southwest Kansas will continue to develop/spread eastward across the rest of southwest Kansas through mid-afternoon, then persisting into early/mid-evening.

DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ this evening for KSZ043>045-061>064-074>078-084>088.