textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Patchy fog is possible areawide late tonight into early Saturday morning

- Mild stretch continues through much of next week

- Rain chances (20-30%) return for the mid to latter half of next week

DISCUSSION

Issued at 138 PM CST Fri Feb 6 2026

As of 130 PM Friday afternoon, quiet weather conditions were ongoing across the Plains with mostly sunny skies and mild temperatures in the 50s. A shortwave trough continues to advance through the OH valley with an attendant surface trough extending through the Red River Valley. In the wake of this front, northerly winds have overspread the region with gusts up to 25 mph. Transitioning into tonight, mostly clear skies are likely to continue with an area of surface high pressure translating through the forecast area. Small dew point depression and light winds should allow for the development of patchy fog across much of the area. As the surface high pressure progresses southeastward into Saturday morning, southerly surface winds will increase from west to east and should dissipate any fog formation from west to east as well.

Shortwave midlevel ridging will slide across the region Saturday and will promote another mild day with highs in the 50s to near 60. A shortwave trough will slide through the region late Saturday into Saturday night, shunting a weak cold front through the area. Despite the cold frontal passage, westerly winds by Sunday will foster downslope low-level flow and a warming trend. Sunday afternoon temperatures are likely to approach the mid 60s. Continued low-level WAA into Monday will support even warmer temperatures in the 70s.

A more active pattern will begin to emerge by the middle of next week as zonal midlevel flow becomes established. This midlevel flow transition is likely to allow for multiple shortwave trough passages within the central or southern Plains. As a result, precipitation chances have been introduced (20-30%) for much of the mid to latter half of next week.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1124 AM CST Fri Feb 6 2026

VFR conditions are expected at all sites through the end of the period. Gusty north winds currently observed over the area will subside to below 10 kts by sunset and gradually veer to the southeast through the overnight hours. Additionally, short-term ensembles are indicating the potential (20-30%) for MVFR cigs/vsbys primarily in central KS early Saturday morning. Confidence is too low for direct mentions at this time, so stay tuned to later cycles as additional information becomes available.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.