textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Brief period of light snow late this evening into tonight; minor accumulations possible, mainly along/north of I-70

- Warming trend over the next week with temperatures returning to the 60s and 70s by Tuesday

- Very high fire danger possible areawide Tuesday

DISCUSSION

Issued at 300 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

As of 245 AM Friday morning, broad southwesterly midlevel flow was present across the central and southern Plains. Surface ridging continues to slide into the forecast area behind a strong cold front, which has pushed into central TX. Temperatures range from the teens across central KS to the 20s across southeast KS. Factoring in a stout northerly breeze at 10-20 mph was contributing to wind chill values near zero across central KS with single digits and teens elsewhere. An initial shortwave trough was located across northern MO/southern IA. This shortwave trough produced an axis of heavy snow across eastern NE and IA with totals up to 7". A secondary shortwave trough was located across southern NV and is progged to eject across the Plains late this evening into tonight with its track expected to be from northern NM through southern KS. As the shortwave trough approaches, low and midlevel WAA will gradually increase across much of the area. Thermal profiles will support snow at the onset of precipitation around 8-10 PM this evening. An overall lack of available moisture and the brief period of ascent will preclude a more- impactful event. That being said, the latest HREF suggests a 50- 70% for 0.5" of snow for areas generally along and north of Highway 50. A few slick spots are possible, especially on elevated roadways.

Midlevel heights will begin to increase Saturday through Tuesday as midlevel ridging amplifies across the Rockies. This will promote a warming trend with temperatures returning to the 60s by Tuesday. GFS and ECMWF solutions suggest a shortwave trough will slide southeast across the central Plains next Thursday. This passage may provide the potential for light rain showers.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1056 PM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

Breezy northwest winds will continue to gradually lessen from west to east overnight, as the pressure gradient relaxes some in wake of a departing low pressure area. Winds will gradually switch to northeasterly and even easterly Friday, with increasing mid-level clouds from the west ahead of our next storm system.

Areas of light snow and flurries are expected to spread east- northeast across the region Friday evening and night, with light accumulations possible over central and northern Kansas, impacting mainly the GBD-SLN-RSL TAF sites.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 300 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

Strong south to southwest of 15-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph combined with relative humidity values of 20-30% will support very high fire danger across much of the area Tuesday afternoon.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.