textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Above normal temperatures through the weekend with near-normal temperatures next week

- Mostly dry conditions through the weekend; rain chances return early next week

DISCUSSION

Issued at 245 AM CDT Fri Oct 23 2026

As of 230AM Friday morning, an omega blocking pattern was present across the CONUS with trough axis' across the coasts and ridging across the central US. A weak perturbation was lifting across the Four Corners region with scattered showers and thunderstorms across NM/CO. The overall pattern is not progged to shift much over the next few days. With the forecast area remaining under the influence of the midlevel ridge, temperatures will remain above normal through the weekend with highs in the upper 70s to near 80. In addition, this will keep the best rain chances well-west of the forecast area and across far western KS and CO. By late Saturday night into Sunday, a strong northern stream midlevel trough will slide across the southern Canadian provinces, deamplifying the ridge axis across the MS Valley. As the ridge deamplifies, the western CONUS trough will eventually eject into the Plains early next week. It's arrival will bring rain chances back to the area and temperatures near- normal. A secondary shortwave trough across the Pacific NW may emerge across the central Plains towards the middle of next week, bringing additional rain chances to the forecast area Wednesday. Northwest midlevel looks to build in for the second half of next week yielding dry and seasonable temperatures in the upper 60s and lower 70s.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 558 AM CDT Fri Oct 23 2026

VFR conditions are expected throughout the TAF period. Southerly winds will increase across central and south central KS by late morning to 15-20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt. These gusty winds will subside at ICT/HUT/SLN near sunset but are expected to continue into the overnight hours at GBD and RSL.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.