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 /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1124 AM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

Light northerly winds around 10 kts will continue through this TAF period. After 15z, northerly winds will increase to 10-15 kts and gusts up to 20-25 kts mainly across central and south- central KS. There is a low chance for a light rain/snow mix between 06z-12z, but given the high uncertainty, went with vicinity shower at RSL and GBD. MVFR cigs are possible at all sites after 12z, but confidence was not high enough to include in this issuance.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.