textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- An isolated shower or thunderstorm possible through sunrise across the Flint Hills and again late tonight

- Widespread rainfall possible Friday into Saturday and again early next week

- Near to above normal temperatures expected throughout much of the next 7 days

DISCUSSION

Issued at 246 AM CDT Wed Oct 28 2026

As of 245 AM Wednesday morning, broad southwesterly midlevel flow continues across the Plains with lee trough developing across high Plains. This is promoting the strengthening of a LLJ from west TX through much of KS. Steepening midlevel lapse rates combined with the WAA may result in isolated showers or thunderstorms through sunrise and mainly across the Flint Hills. Elevated instability up to 500 J/kg should limit any potential for strong or severe storms. A shortwave trough will slide across the northern Plains through the day today, shunting a surface trough towards central KS. Ahead of the front, temperatures will rebound into the upper 70s to near 80. Additional WAA driven thunderstorms are possible late Wednesday night into Thursday morning but the best chances may stay across northeast KS into northwest MO.

Rain chances will diminish into the daytime hours Thursday as shortwave ridging slides across the central Plains ahead of the next shortwave trough axis. This shortwave trough is posed to lift from the Baja region late Thursday night into Friday. This should result in widespread rain showers Friday and even Sunday.

Mid to long range guidance continues to bring a strong midlevel trough into the central Plains early next week. This could bring multiple days of rainfall, strong winds, and even the potential for strong or severe weather. Stay tuned.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 513 AM CDT Wed Oct 28 2026

LLWS conditions will continue at RSL/GBD/SLN/HUT through 15Z as a 45 kt LLJ near 2kft remains overhead. South to southwesterly winds will increase to 15-20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt, especially across central and south-central KS. Wind speeds will relax to around 10 kt late this afternoon or early this evening as a weak cold front sinks into central KS. Winds across central KS will become northerly this evening while continuing overnight. Patchy fog is possible near GBD and RSL near the end of the period.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.