textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Hot and humid again today along with chances for a few strong to severe storms this afternoon and evening

- Isolated strong storms are possible for southeast Kansas Sunday afternoon

- High confidence for cooler slightly below normal temperatures overspreading the region for next week

DISCUSSION

Issued at 147 AM CDT Sat Sep 19 2026

It will be another day of hot and humid weather conditions for the region today with heat indices around 100 degrees again, however cooler temperatures will be on the way after today. A cold front will sink slowly southward across Kansas with convection expected to develop around peak heating after 3pm along the front in central Kansas. Conditions are favorable for a few strong to severe storms to materialize during the late afternoon-evening time frame with modest instability and wind shear around 30kts for some organized multi-cell storms. Damaging wind threat seems to be the primary risk with inverted-V sounding profiles and some potential for large hail before multi-cells begin to cluster. The threat looks to transition to more of isolated damaging winds and heavy rainfall overnight. The front will continue a slow southward track for Sunday with cooler temperatures finally beginning to overspread the area from north to south. There is some potential for a few strong storms ahead of the front mainly for locations east of the Kansas turnpike during the afternoon where atmosphere could destabilize more. Otherwise showers and storms will gradually decrease in coverage later Sunday night.

High confidence for cooler temperatures to finally influence the region for Monday through Wednesday as surface high pressure dominates over the central plains. This will result in daytime highs actually being cooler than average along with dry weather expected. Long range models continue to suggest that next chance of rain could arrive Wednesday night into Thursday for Kansas.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1038 PM CDT Fri Sep 18 2026

The main aviation concern will be the potential for scattered thunderstorms by mid to late afternoon Saturday, persisting through the evening, as a cold front approaches from the northwest. Thinking chances are highest for HUT, SLN, ICT, and CNU. The strongest activity will be capable of 50+ kt wind gusts and heavy rainfall, and perhaps isolated instances of large hail.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.