textproduct: Dodge City

KEY MESSAGES

- Red Flag conditions Saturday

- Very strong winds and colder Sunday

- Above normal temperatures next week

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1234 PM CDT Fri Mar 13 2026

A mild and above freezing night is on tap. Light southerly winds will continue through the overnight period, keeping temperatures up. For Saturday, lower dewpoints will be advected in from the west. The lee trough will continue. Highs will be mainly in the 80s. The combination of the low relative humidity and the breezy winds will result in Red Flag conditions for a portion of the FA. Do not burn!

Attention then turns to Sunday morning. A very strong cold front will plow through the state during the morning. 850 hPa temperatures will crash down to the -3C to -9C range. In addition, 40-50 kt 850 hPa winds and mixing will result in a dramatically colder and very windy day. Have issued a High Wind Watch for the entire FA Sunday. There will be about a 40 degree high temperature drop from Saturday to Sunday. Some light rain and/or snow will be possible with the front. There also may be blowing dust due to the very strong northerly winds.

Looking at the next business week, temperatures will start to rebound Tuesday onward. A strong upper level ridge will start to approach the area from the southwest. The net result is above normal temperatures. Highs Wednesday through Friday will be more in the late Spring/early Summer range. No precipitation is expected as the ridge prevails across the greater region.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 500 PM CDT Fri Mar 13 2026

VFR conditions will prevail in vicinity of all TAF sites through early Saturday afternoon. Light southerly winds will persist through early Saturday morning as surface high pressure departs eastward across the Upper Midwest while weak lee side troughing develops in eastern Colorado. Winds are then expected to increase 10 to 20kt generally after 15-17Z with gusts up to 25kt in the afternoon as lee side troughing strengthens during the day.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1234 PM CDT Fri Mar 13 2026

Lower dewpoints will advect in from the west Saturday. This will result in humidity bottoming out in the 10-15% range. The lee trough will continue with breezy southerly winds. The combination of the low relative humidity, warm highs, and breezy winds will result in Red Flag conditions for a portion of southwest Kansas. A Red Flag Warning has be issued as a result of this meteorological setup.

DDC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Red Flag Warning from noon CDT /11 AM MDT/ to 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ Saturday for KSZ030-043>045-061>064-074>078-084>088. High Wind Watch from Sunday morning through Sunday evening for KSZ030-031-043>046-061>066-074>081-084>090.