textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Well above normal temperatures are expected today and Saturday with record highs possible.

- A cold front on Sunday will bring near normal temperatures through Monday with continued dry conditions.

- Warmer air will quickly return after a brief cooldown with above normal values through mid-week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 202 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026

Currently, a significant ridge is dominating the weather pattern across the western CONUS with northwesterly flow across the Central Plains aloft. At the surface, a high pressure is centered over the Rockies with a weak low pressure system entering the Great Lakes Region. The unusually strong ridge will continue to influence the weather over the Sunflower State leading to near record highs across the region for today and Saturday. Afternoon highs will top out in the upper 80s and lower 90s under mostly sunny conditions.

Then on Sunday, a shortwave trough will dip across the northern tier of the U.S. and will push a cold frontal boundary across the Plains early in the day. This will lead to quite the temperature disparity across the forecast area. Behind the front in Central Kansas, high temperatures will only reach to around 70 degrees. Whereas ahead of the front in Southeastern Kansas, afternoon highs will top out in the middle to upper 80s. Behind the frontal boundary, strong northerly winds are anticipated leading to another day of elevated fire danger. Temperatures on Monday will be near normal with highs in the middle 60s for nearly all locations.

As we move into Tuesday through the middle of the week, ridging will build back in over the region leading to another warm-up with temperatures reaching into the 70s and lower 80s. A few lingering clouds are expected on Tuesday as the previous system exits to the east, but by Wednesday and Thursday, mostly clear and dry conditions will prevail.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 604 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026

VFR conditions expected through the forecast period. Light southerly to southwesterly winds will turn out of the northwest/north around midday as a weak boundary sweeps across the state. Winds between 10-15 knots are expected this morning into the afternoon hours for Central Kansas sites before diminishing around 00Z. Then light and variable winds are expected overnight.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 202 AM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026

Elevated fire danger is expected for both Saturday and Sunday across much of the area and a Fire Weather Watch remains in effect. Near record warm temperatures combined with very low RH values and breezy southerly winds will cause Very High to Extreme fire danger on Saturday afternoon, especially across Central Kansas. Then, a cold front on Sunday will bring gusty northerly winds up to 35 mph at times. RH values will remain quite low and temperatures will remain at, or just above, normal. These conditions will support widespread Very High to Extreme fire danger areawide on Sunday.

As temperatures rebound by mid-week, we could see a resurgence of elevated fire danger during the afternoon hours with breezy winds and continued dry conditions.

CLIMATE

Issued at 103 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Record highs are likely on Friday, and possible Saturday.

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

Saturday (3/21): Wichita: Forecast - 91, Record - 92 (1916) Salina: Forecast - 94, Record - 96 (1907) Chanute: Forecast - 90, Record - 95 (1916) Russell: Forecast - 94, 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.