textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Cooler to near normal temperatures are forecast through Tuesday.

- Warming trend beginning early this week and continuing through next week.

- Rain chances will potentially return next weekend.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 130 PM CDT Sun Oct 18 2026

Currently, there is an upper shortwave trough sliding across southern Canada with weak upper ridging across much of the central and southern CONUS. A weak upper shortwave is over the Southwest US, keeping our area in southwesterly flow aloft. At the surface, a low is over northern Ontario with a cold front draping down through the Upper Mississippi Valley, connecting to a low in eastern Colorado. An increased pressure gradient remains over Kansas, resulting in breezy southerly winds. Sustained winds are between 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph especially in central KS. Slightly below normal high temperatures continue with highs rising into the 60s. As we move into tonight and Monday morning, lows will be near normal with readings in the 40s.

For Monday-Tuesday, the aforementioned weak upper shortwave over the Southwest US will propagate towards the Central Plains. Given the dry air from the surface through the mid-levels, rain shower chances are unlikely with this activity. Near normal high temperatures are forecast with highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s.

For Wednesday and beyond, upper ridging will build over the Plains as a deep upper trough digs off the coast of California. This will promote a warming trend along with thickness increasing and above normal 850 mb temperatures. Highs will rise back into the 70s with above normal temperatures persisting through Sunday. Rain chances may return to the forecast next weekend as the upper trough traverses toward the region. There is still quite a bit of uncertainty but at this time looks like there is a 30% chance for rain in western KS into central KS. Stay tuned.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/

Issued at 1227 PM CDT Sun Oct 18 2026

Aviation concerns are expected to remain on the low side through the next 24 hours.

Lee troughing is currently in place across western KS which is allowing for gusty south winds across the area and will continue through the afternoon hours. While winds will remain out of the south, they will decrease quickly near sunset. Confidence remains high that VFR conditions will remain in place.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.