textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Scattered light showers/sprinkles are expected today and tonight with an isolated thunderstorm possible tonight across parts of central/south central KS. Strong or severe storms are NOT expected.

- Above normal temperatures and dry weather are expected through the rest of the week and into the weekend.

- Increasing chances for precipitation and cooler temperatures are expected for the end of the weekend and into next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 208 PM CDT Tue Oct 20 2026

Currently, broad ridging extends across the central portions of the country. A weak shortwave trough is situated over the Central Rockies and will continue to traverse the Central Plains through the rest of today and into early Wednesday. This feature is leading to scattered cloud cover along with passing showers/sprinkles. Temperatures are only being impacted directly underneath precipitation and highs across the area will generally top out in the lower 70s this afternoon. Lows tonight will remain mild with temperatures only falling into the middle 50s areawide. A few showers and sprinkles will continue to dot the forecast area through Wednesday morning with no appreciative rainfall expected with any of this activity.

Through the end of the week, a narrow yet stout ridge will be centered over the Plains leading to continued above normal temperatures. Afternoon highs each day will reach into the middle to upper 70s through Saturday with overnight lows generally falling into the 50s. Dry conditions with minimal cloud cover are anticipated through Friday.

Troughing will move over the western U.S. by Friday with a corresponding surface low deepening over the Northern Rockies. This feature will lead to a tightening pressure gradient over the Central Plains on Friday and increasing southerly winds. Precip chances will begin increasing for western Kansas on Saturday as the upper level trough and surface front slowly nudge eastward. By Sunday and into Monday, this system will pass over the region bringing increasing precipitation chances areawide along with cooler temperatures.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1225 PM CDT Tue Oct 20 2026

Despite a few isolated sprinkles and showers, VFR conditions are expected to prevail through the TAF period.

Currently, VFR cigs have generally decreased in coverage since this morning, but additional sprinkles and showers across western Kansas will move eastward into the area later this afternoon into tonight. Unlike this morning, the area could see more bonifide showers with brief visibility reductions possible. However, with chances remaining relatively low for any one site to see impacts, this potential has been omitted in the TAFs for now and is generally covered with widespread VCSH. Between 10-13Z Wednesday morning, chances for showers and sprinkles should gradually come to an end.

Surface winds will remain out of the south at around 5 to 15 knots. Portions of central Kansas could see gusts around 20 to 25 knots at times this afternoon.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.