textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Cooler temperatures expected today and a reinforcing shot of cold air this weekend with teens for Sat. night/Sun. morning.

- Moderating temperatures are expected for much of next week with the dry conditions persisting.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 206 AM CST Fri Dec 12 2025

Currently, broad scale upper-level northwesterly flow is present over the region. In the mid-levels, a short wave trough is visible that is dragging a cold front across the Central Plains early this morning. At the surface, winds have already turned out of the north for most of our central and south-central Kansas counties, with far southern and southeastern Kansas to follow suite shortly. While a cool down is forecast behind this frontal boundary, temperatures will return close to normal for this time of year for today with highs topping out in the 40s areawide. Little moisture is present with this front therefore no precip is expected, though some lower level stratus may be possible across our central Kansas counties through the afternoon.

For this weekend, a more potent upper level trough will sweep across the Great Lakes region on Saturday. This feature will send another, reinforcing cold front across the area on Saturday afternoon. Prior to the colder air arriving, temperatures will be able to warm into the 40s areawide. However, behind the front on Saturday night temperatures will tumble into the teens. Then, highs on Sunday will only warm into the upper 20s to lower 30s. As has been the pattern of late, the much colder air will be confined to our east and our colder temperatures will be fleeting.

As we move into early next week, stout ridging and northwesterly flow will build back over the region. Temperatures will quickly rebound with highs on Monday near normal to slightly above normal with highs reaching into the upper 40s. Warmer and more mild weather will continue through the end of the week as broad ridging dominates the pattern. Highs in the 50s and 60s with lows in the 30s and 40s are expected as there is quite a bit of agreement across models. A couple of benign perturbations in the pattern are possible through the week leading to slight variations in temperatures and occasional cloud cover. Overall, we are expected to remain dry throughout the forecast period.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1130 AM CST Fri Dec 12 2025

North winds around 10-12 mph will gradually veer to the east and southeast this evening and tonight while remaining light. MVFR cigs continue to linger over parts of central Kansas and these may be slow to erode. After a brief period of VFR, low stratus may return to parts of central KS, possibly impacting KSLN, KRSL and KGBD tonight and into the day on Saturday. Winds will shift to the north in the wake of another cold front on Saturday afternoon.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.