textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Well above normal temperatures, breezy winds and dry conditions will continue into early next week.

- Shower and storm chances are likely to return next week with periodic chances possible from Tuesday to Thursday.

- More seasonable temperatures are forecast to return mid to late next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 232 PM CDT Fri Oct 9 2026

An upper level trough is currently traversing across the northeastern CONUS with an upper low moving onshore to the Pacific Northwest with upper ridging between these two features. At the surface, a low sits over the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan with surface troughing extending down through the high Plains. In our area, southerly winds have started to increase as the pressure gradient continues to tighten from lee troughing. The pressure gradient will keep strengthening into Saturday as the upper trough digs into the western CONUS, resulting in breezy southerly winds across our area. This pattern will persist through Monday with sustained winds between 15-25 mph and gusts up to 30-35 mph each day with the strongest winds generally west of the KS Turnpike. Well above normal high temperatures are forecast Friday through Tuesday as increased thickness and above normal 850 mb temperatures persist. Highs are expected to be in the upper 80s each day with some locations reaching into the lower 90s, especially on Monday.

A pattern change is likely to start on Tuesday-Tuesday night as the aforementioned upper trough over the western CONUS propagates east and approaches the Rockies into Wednesday. This trough will bring the next round of shower and storm chances to the region especially as a cold front is expected to push south through the central Plains into Kansas by Tuesday morning. These rain chances will be possible from Tuesday to Thursday before the trough continues to slide east on Friday. Strong to severe storms may be possible with this activity as effective wind shear increases combined with ample instability and forcing from the trough and cold front. Heavy rainfall appears likely as well as PWATs approach 2" (greater than the maximum for this time of year) across our area. Details on timing, location and impacts will continue to be refined as we get closer. From mid to late week, temperatures are forecast to become more seasonable as highs return to the 70s. Guidance suggests the potential for below normal temperatures heading into next weekend with highs in the 50s to 60s and lows in the 40s. Stay tuned!

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1227 PM CDT Fri Oct 9 2026

VFR conditions are expected through the TAF period. Southerly winds may gust up to 25 kt across central KS through 00Z but decrease to 10-15 kt thereafter. Marginal LLWS conditions are possible across central KS from 04-13Z but magnitudes should remain below the 30 kt threshold.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.