textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Winter storm will continue to impact the area for today and tonight with additional snowfall expected along with dangerously cold wind chills through Mon morning.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 259 AM CST Sat Jan 24 2026

Water vapor imagery currently shows an upper low about to move over northern Baja with some additional upper energy sinking south across the Great Basin. Further north, shortwave energy is moving south across southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. At the surface, arctic front has pushed all the way down to South TX with surface high centered over Northern IA/southern MN.

For this morning, the better isentropic lift looks to slowly shift east. However, we will maintain some mid level warm advection through most of the day as mid level flow backs slightly ahead of the Western CONUS mid/upper impulse. Feel that this will keep at least some light snow in place area wide today with a few pockets of transient moderate snow.

By 00z Sun, the energy over Baja will be approaching southwest TX with a secondary impulse digging over the Desert Southwest. At the same time, models remain consistent in a strong jet developing early this evening from central Nebraska through IA, with most of the forecast area in the right entrance region of this jet. Still looking for an increase in precip early this evening ahead of the mid level trough and as isentropic lift ramps back up, especially over southeast KS. There looks to be a sharp back edge to the precip tonight and where this sets-up will have a big impact on snow totals. For now will keep with the thinking that it will setup along the KS Turnpike with areas southeast of the KS Turnpike staying in the better lift for a longer period of time. In addition, models have been consistent in showing some mid level frontogenesis moving through, which may result in a more intense band this evening. So for tonight, the Flint Hill and especially southeast KS will see the higher snow totals. Meanwhile, central KS is not expected to see much additional snowfall tonight. Snowfall is also expected to exit the forecast area quicker than previously thought, and by 12z Sun, only extreme southeast KS will still be seeing precip.

Based on what has occurred so far, it appears storm total snow amounts will be less than what we were running with at this time yesterday, with most of the forecast area in the 3-8 inch range. Not much has changed as far as temps go, with widespread -10 to -20 wind chills for today through Mon morning.

There is decent model agreement in a vort lobe sinking south across the northern/central Rockies for Sun evening and will provide a brief period of snowfall across western KS with some of this potentially making it into central KS for Sun night. We look to stay in northwest flow aloft through most of next week with another upper impulse diving south across the Northern/Mid Mississippi Valley and will bring another shot of cold air by mid week. So confidence remains high that although temps will be higher than we are seeing now, they will still be below normal for this time of year.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 604 AM CST Sat Jan 24 2026

Main aviation concern will remain snow chances today and tonight.

Widespread light to moderate snow will continue today with most locations seeing visibility in the 2-4sm range. Snow will start to shift southeast tonight with only locations along and southeast of the KS Turnpike seeing snow after midnight. KCNU could see some vis go to 1sm or less tonight as a moderate snow band slides through the area. As far as ceilings go, low VFR and MVFR are likely with IFR levels not expected.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Cold Weather Advisory until noon CST Monday for KSZ032-033- 047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100. Winter Storm Warning until noon CST Sunday for KSZ032-033- 047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100.