textproduct: Dodge City

KEY MESSAGES

- Light, low impact snow Friday afternoon into evening

- Significant warming trend expected next week

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1100 PM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

Overall synoptic pattern this evening across the region features a departing 500 mb shortwave moving into the Midwest, and a strong 300 mb southwesterly jet on the order of 140-160 knots ahead of a sheared out trough across the Western U.S. The enhanced shortwave with this approaching trough, currently situated near the Great Basin and into the Desert Southwest, has lead to weak cyclogenesis across southern Nevada. This system will continue to traverse eastward across the Rockies overnight night and into the High Plains Friday afternoon. This system will be our next weather maker across the forecast area. Given the flat trough, weak surface low, and marginal surface temperatures, expect precipitation to remain rather light. Expected snowfall accumulations are generally less then 0.5" along and north of the Route 50 corridor, with mainly sprinkles or flurries farther south. Even the high-end scenario (1 in 10 chance of higher snowfall) has only 1.5" and less across the forecast area, so the ceiling for this snow event is very low. Precipitation will move in around mid to late afternoon, tapering off during the overnight hours early Saturday morning.

After this system departs, the main weather story will be the significant warming trend expected into next week. High temperatures beginning Tuesday and throughout the remainder of the week are expected to climb into the 60s and 70s as a ridge builds back into the area. 850 mb temperatures will also rise to 12-15C, resulting in surface temperatures well-above normal. Some of the current forecast high temperatures may even be too low, as 01z NBM probabilities of 80 degrees or greater is 20-40% (especially later in the week). Above normal pattern is expected to continue, with the CPC highlighting "likely above" categories in their 8-14 day temperature outlook at 60-70% chance. Precipitation chances in the extended range of the forecast are minimal, with only 20% POPs Wednesday with the passage of a frontal system at this time.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 529 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

A compact storm system will move out across western Kansas later today/tonight, and this will bring with it some snow. The HYS terminal stands the best chance at light accumulating snow, and we will carry a FM group for snow at this airport. GCK and DDC airports will be on the fringe of this system, but we will carry a PROB30 group for snow showers this evening. The ceiling forecast is difficult farther south, as sub-1000 foot ceilings are likely near the low track and DDC and GCK terminals will be on the edge of this as well.

DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.