textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Unseasonably hot air will overspread the area through Saturday with some new records likely. A cold front will arrive on Sunday ushering in more seasonable air.

- Warmer air will quickly return after a brief cooldown with above normal values returning for much of the upcoming week.

- Dry weather is expected to persist over the upcoming week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 100 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

An anomalous mid/upper ridge over the Southwest will remain in place through Saturday. The Central Plains will be influenced by this ridge with dry and mild conditions anticipated through Saturday night with highs in the 80s/90s (some record highs possible).

A shortwave trough racing eastward along the Canadian border will help to break down the mid/upper ridge over the Northern Plains while driving a cold front south across the Central Plains. This front is progged to arrive on Sunday, shifting winds to the northwest and ushering in more seasonable air. With the front and gusty winds, we will see an increasing fire danger threat as well, see the fire weather section below for more details.

The cooldown will be short-lived as rising heights/increasing thickness will bring above average temperatures back to the area Tue- Wed. Another cold front is progged to arrive late in the Week ushering in more seasonable air on Thursday. Dry weather is expected to prevail through the period.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1211 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

VFR conditions are expected through this TAF period. Light northwesterly winds under 10 kts will continue through 00z. Then light winds will shift to southerly tonight and continue shifting to westerly by 12z. At 15z, winds will shift to northwesterly and increase to around 10 kts at RSL, GBD, and SLN.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 100 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Very high to extreme fire danger is expected on Saturday and Sunday for much of the area and a Fire Weather Watch has been posted. Hot and very dry air will combine with 15 to 25 mph winds on Saturday afternoon. A cold front will arrive on Sunday shifting winds to the northwest while above average temperatures and dry weather persist.

A very high fire danger may return for parts of the area as we move into next week with very dry conditions and breezy winds during the afternoon hours.

CLIMATE

Issued at 103 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Record highs are likely on Friday, and maybe Saturday.

Friday (3/20): Wichita: Forecast - 88, Record - 89 (2017) Salina: Forecast - 87, Record - 86 (1934) Chanute: Forecast - 87, Record - 87 (2017) Russell: Forecast - 87, Record - 85 (1953)

Saturday (3/21): Wichita: Forecast - 90, Record - 92 (1916) Salina: Forecast - 91, Record - 96 (1907) Chanute: Forecast - 88, Record - 95 (1916) Russell: Forecast - 92, Record - 85 (1997)

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Fire Weather Watch from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening for KSZ032-033-047>053-067>070-082-083-091>094-098.