textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Overall fairly quiet weather expected the next several days with no major storm systems on the horizon.

- Chance for light rain/snow mix tonight into Wednesday, but no accumulation expected.

- Somewhat cooler temperatures continue Wednesday, with mostly above average temperatures thereafter.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 311 PM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

PRECIPITATION:

A pair of shortwaves approaching from the north, embedded within a digging central and eastern CONUS longwave trough will support scattered light precipitation tonight into Wednesday, with the brunt of guidance now favoring locations generally along/west of a line extending from Lincoln to Hutchinson to Wellington. Thermal profiles from model soundings support a light rain/snow mix, with low level wet bulb temperatures in the 30-35 degree range. Many locations should stay dry, and this is not expected to be a big event by any means given rather weak lift, with no snow accumulation expected.

For Wednesday, could see continued off-and-on patches of sprinkles/flurries throughout the day, generally along/west of the Flint Hills, due to cold air aloft contributing to a tiny bit of positive buoyancy in the low-levels. Once again, absolutely no accumulation is expected.

Otherwise, building high pressure will support a long stretch of dry weather Wednesday night through the weekend. Thereafter, deterministic consensus somewhat supports the potential for increasing rain chances early to mid next week across Mid-America, as a "lead" upper trough moves over the region, with another deeper western CONUS troughing digging on its heels. Still lots of uncertainty this far out with model changes likely, so stay tuned.

TEMPERATURES:

Similar to today, continued influence from Canadian high pressure will support Wednesday temperatures plus/minus 5 degrees either side of normal for most locations, although Wednesday will likely feel a bit cooler given breezy north winds and mostly cloudy skies. Thereafter from Thursday through well into next week, deterministic and ensemble consensus supports mostly above average temperatures across the region, as heights/thickness increase across the Heartland. A long stretch of daytime temperatures reaching the 50s- 60s is expected late this week through at least mid-late next week.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 529 PM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

Ceilings will bounce between VFR and MVFR across much of the area over the next 24 hours.

Currently, much of the area is experiencing VFR conditions. However, locations along and northeast of a KSLN-KCNU line are seeing widespread MVFR cigs. These lower ceilings will gradually spread south and west throughout the TAF period, and most locations should experience MVFR conditions at some points between now and through Wednesday evening.

Additionally, winds will be light and variable through much of the night and early morning. Then, winds will increase out of the north to around 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 25 knots in some locations Wednesday afternoon.

Lastly, a low chance of very light rain and snow showers are possible along and west of the I-135. However little to no impacts are expected.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.