textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Accumulating snow continues area wide through tonight and into Sunday

- Bitterly cold temperatures continue with wind chill values of 10 to 20 degrees below zero

- Moderating temperatures towards the middle of next week

DISCUSSION

Issued at 210 PM CST Sat Jan 24 2026

As of 2 PM Saturday afternoon, broad midlevel WAA continues to produce widespread light to moderate snowfall across much of the state. A more-persistant band has recently developed across portions of central and south-central KS. Webcams and observations sites have revealed visibilities less than 1 mile within these band of snow which are likely producing snowfall rates as high as 1" per hour. This WAA driven snowfall is likely to continue into evening hours before this axis of WAA shifts east of the area. Increasing midlevel jet dynamics and the approach of a shortwave trough (currently near the Baja) will increase midlevel forcing for ascent and allow for additional snowfall into the overnight hours. Short range guidance has shifted slightly further north with the QPF axis with the highest amounts expected along and southeast of the KS Turnpike. Additional QPF is expected to range from 0.1-0.2" across central KS to 0.3-0.5" across southeast KS. Snow ratios near 15:1 should allow for additional snowfall amounts up to 6" with the greatest additional accumulations across southeast KS. This additional snowfall combined to the snowfall already fallen will produce widespread totals of 5-10". Snowfall will come to an end from west to east during the morning hours of Sunday.

The stretch of bitterly cold temperatures will continue into tonight as lows tumble into negative single digits across central KS and into the positive single digits across southern and southeast KS. Factoring in a gentle north winds will create wind chill values of - 10 to -20. Temperatures will moderate slightly Sunday with highs reaching the teens. Temperatures below zero will be common across the region Sunday night into Monday morning. Again, a gentle north wind will create wind chill values of -10 to -20.

Temperatures will begin to moderate towards midweek as midlevel ridging approaches the Plains. Highs are currently forecast to return to the 30s/near 40 Wednesday afternoon.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/

Issued at 533 PM CST Sat Jan 24 2026

Light snow continues for central Kansas sites with more moderate snow impacting south-central and southeastern Kansas locations. Visibility will increase and cigs will lift for central Kansas between 04-06Z. Look for improving conditions for south-central Kansas between 10-12Z. CNU will be the last to see VFR conditions return with conditions improving between 12-15Z. North to northwesterly winds around 10 knots will continue through the period.

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.