textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Chance for light rain/snow mix later tonight, but little to no accumulation expected.

- Slightly cooler on Wednesday, with near normal temperatures.

- Above normal temperatures and dry weather through the end of the forecast period.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 235 AM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

Currently, a mid/upper-level short wave trough is positioned over the Northern Plains. This short wave will continue to deepen and dig across the Central Plains through Wednesday. At the surface, a weak frontal boundary extends across the Plains and into the Upper Midwest. For today, while the frontal boundary remains to the north, temperatures will remain mild with temps topping out in the 40s and lower 50s. Cloud cover will increase this afternoon with the approach of the trough and the further development of the surface low to our south. As we go into tonight, a mid-level vort max will pass off to our west with 0.25-0.50" PWATs over our area. This will lead to precip chances generally between 06-12Z for locations along and west of I-135. Model soundings indicate that most of this precip should fall as a rain/snow mix with surface temperatures during the event only falling to around freezing. Due to lack of lift, only light accumulations are expected. High pressure will build over the area on Wednesday and afternoon high temperatures behind the weak front will reach into the 40s for most locations.

For Thursday through Saturday, ridging that has lingered off to the west will finally succeed in building over the Plains and we will see above normal temperatures across the entire forecast area. Afternoon highs will reach into the the middle 50s to the lower 60s. A weak back-door cold front looks to swing through the area on Saturday night as a little short wave digs into the Upper Midwest. Temperatures for Sunday will not take a big hit and will remain above average, with highs topping out in the lower to middle 50s. No precipitation is expected with this weak passing system, and only a few clouds are anticipated for Saturday night into Sunday.

Upper-level ridging will then dominate for the remainder of the forecast period, through at least mid next week. Highs on Mon/Tue will likely reach well above normal with highs in the 50s and 60s expected once again. Ridging will support a continued dry pattern with partly cloudy skies.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1036 PM CST Mon Feb 2 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through much of the period. A weak cold front has moved through, shifting winds from the north at 5-10 kt. Northwesterly wind speeds will increase by late morning to 10-15 kt. Low clouds will spread south and southwest from portions of IA and MO and may impact portions of eastern KS Tuesday afternoon. Confidence is too low for any prevailing mention of MVFR at this point but later outlooks may need to introduce. Light rain and/or snow chances increase across central KS towards the end of the period but that potential remains too low for introduction at this time.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.