textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Below normal temperatures will continue all week, with a more substantial cool-down expected for Friday and Saturday.

- Snow chances will increase for Thursday evening into Friday but confidence is low on how this will pan out due to it being produced by such a subtle wave.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 108 PM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

Water vapor satellite imagery and 500 mb RAP analysis early this afternoon shows a deep, positively tilted upper trough extending across much of the eastern CONUS with weak upper riding over the Pacific coastline. At the surface, arctic air continues to dominate the region, and it is being reinforced by widespread snow cover across the area.

Breezy southwest winds will keep wind chills in the single digits and teens throughout much of the afternoon and evening. Then, a weak surface trough passing through the region will support lighter winds tonight through Tuesday morning. Modest low-level CAA along with the existing snow pack will support highs Tuesday afternoon in the 20s and low 30s, which is generally lower than the current run of the NBM. Surface winds flip back around to the southwest on Wednesday which should support a slight moderation in temperatures Wednesday afternoon. However, the NBM is likely a bit too warm given the existing snow pack that will continue to linger across the area. The Euro seems to have a better handle on the current snow pack and its potential impact on temperatures, particularly across the eastern third of Kansas. Its possible many locations across the forecast area, most likely along and east of the Kansas Turnpike, will remain below freezing on Wednesday despite fairly decent low-level WAA.

Northwest upper flow will remain quite persistent this week, and subtle shortwave troughs will be embedded within this flow supporting a couple of cold front passages and a low chance of very light snow, mainly across portions of western Kansas, late this week into the weekend. The first front arrives on Thursday, likely knocking temperatures down a few degrees and keeping afternoon highs from rising above freezing across the forecast area. A much colder air mass is expected to arrive on Friday with falling temperatures possible throughout the day as arctic air spills into the region from the northeast. While its still a few days away, current deterministic and ensemble global guidance suggest lows Saturday morning could be in near record territory. Additionally, theres a weak signal light snow/flurries developing on Friday as a result of mid-level WAA across western Kansas. Some global ensembles show an outside probability some of this activity could occur as far east as the I-135 corridor; however, little to no impacts are expected at this time.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 531 PM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

VFR conditions expected through the period. Southwesterly winds around 10 knots will turn light and variable during the early morning hours. Winds will turn out of the northeast after 18Z and remain light.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.