textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Wind Advisory is in effect through Friday morning with northerly winds around 30 mph and gusts up to 45 mph.

- Isolated to scattered showers and storms possible in southern KS tonight into early Friday morning.

- Cooler temperatures are forecast for Friday and Saturday with warmer temperatures returning Sunday through Tuesday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 321 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026

Current water vapor imagery and RAP analysis show mostly zonal flow aloft over the Plains with an upper shortwave trough moving into the Central Rockies. At the surface, low pressure is situated over western Kansas with a cold front extending through northern KS into the Middle Mississippi and into the southern Great Lakes area. In our area, temperatures range from the 80s in central KS to the 90s in southern KS. Southerly winds have increased to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph in parts of south-central and southeast KS due to the mixing with the 850mb LLJ. As the cold front continues to push south this afternoon, windy conditions are expected in central KS as northerly winds pick up with speeds around 30 mph and gusts around 45 mph. These increased winds will continue through the evening into early Friday morning. Given these windy conditions, a Wind Advisory is in effect for this afternoon through Friday morning.

As we move into tonight and early Friday morning, there is a chance for showers and storms mainly along and behind the cold front in parts of south-central and southeast KS as the aforementioned shortwave trough will move into the Central Plains. Confidence is low for storms given the expected CAP, though given the steep mid- level lapse rates and instability, a few isolated strong storms cannot be ruled out with better chances remaining northeast of the area. PWATs are progged to be greater than 1.25" which is near the maximum for this time of year, leading to the possibility of a quick downpour for any shower or storm that develops. As we continue into Friday afternoon, breezy northerly winds will continue with gusts up to 30 mph. A surface high will move into the area with slightly below normal temperatures forecast. High temperatures are forecast to be in the upper 50s, which is about 5 degrees cooler for this time of year.

The surface high will shift east by Saturday morning with a low developing over the High Plains. This will increase the pressure gradient in the Central Plains leading to breezy southerly winds on Saturday and again on Sunday. The cooler temperatures will continue into Saturday with highs rising into the lower 60s on Saturday afternoon. As the upper ridge builds back into the area by Sunday, thickness will increase and warmer temperatures will return. Highs are forecast to range from the mid 80s in central KS to the upper 70s in southeast KS. This warming trend will persist through Tuesday with mid to upper 80s expected on Monday and Tuesday.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1135 AM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026

Strong south winds will prevail this afternoon south of a cold front pushing southward across the region. Meanwhile the winds will increase and become strong and gusty behind the cold frontal passage over central Kansas this afternoon. The front will push through the area during the night time hours with strong northerly winds persisting through the overnight. Low clouds in the MVFR category will develop and affect southeast Kansas overnight. In addition, some showers and storms will develop behind the cold front and push southward across mainly southern Kansas during the night time hours.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 321 PM CDT Thu Mar 26 2026

Anomalously hot temperatures along with windy conditions will lead to extreme fire danger this afternoon into the evening. A cold front has started pushing through central Kansas, shifting strong winds to northerly. In south-central and southeast Kansas, strong southerly winds will shift to northerly late this evening as the cold front continues to push through the area.

Very High fire danger will continue to be a concern for much of the area on Friday through Tuesday each afternoon. Post-frontal northerly winds and drier air will be the primary driver on Friday while breezy south to southwest winds return on Saturday through Tuesday. Temperatures will once again warm above normal on Sunday through Tuesday.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for KSZ032-033- 047>053-067>070-082-083-091>094-098. Wind Advisory until 7 AM CDT Friday for KSZ032-033-047>051-067. Wind Advisory until 10 AM CDT Friday for KSZ052-053-068>070- 082-083-091>094-098.