textproduct: Dodge City

KEY MESSAGES

- Dry conditions through this forecast period with exception of central Kansas Tuesday evening

- Above normal temperatures expected through Friday

- Low RHs and gusty winds will increase fire danger each afternoon this week

DISCUSSION

Issued at 130 AM CDT Sun Apr 12 2026

Dry conditions are expected throughout this forecast with the exception of south central Kansas where a few thunderstorms will be possible in the evening Tuesday. Winds will generally be from the southwest through this forecast period with the exception of Wednesday when a weak cold front moves through briefly shifting winds to the northwest and again late week. Skies will clear today from west to east with mostly clear to partly cloudy skies expected through the end of the week. The combination of low Relative Humidity and strong winds will increase fire danger this week. As for temperatures, lows will range from the upper 40s across far western Kansas to low 60s across central Kansas. Highs will reach into the 80s today and tomorrow with lows in the 40s west to 50s east. Highs in the 80s continue Tuesday with 70s on Wednesday. We then rebound into the 80s Thursday and upper 70s to mid 80s Friday. Ensemble models then show a drastic cool down next weekend. We will watch future model runs to see if this pattern continues.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY/

Issued at 511 AM CDT Sun Apr 12 2026

VFR ceilings this morning will give way to clearing skies this afternoon as subsidence develops behind an upper level trough moving across the Central Plains. A dryline will also cross southwest Kansas today, causing a gusty south winds at 15 to 20 knots to shift to the west southwest between 15Z and 21Z today. These gusty winds will then decrease to 10 to 15 knots between 00Z and 03Z Monday.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 154 PM CDT Sat Apr 11 2026

Critical fire weather conditions are likely today across far western with critical fire weather conditions likely across a larger area of west central and southwest Kansas Monday and Tuesday as a large upper level storm system approaches from the west.

DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Fire Weather Watch from Monday afternoon through Monday evening for KSZ031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090. Red Flag Warning from noon CDT /11 AM MDT/ today to 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ this evening for KSZ061-062-074>076-084>086.