textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Periodic storm chances are forecast tonight through Friday night. A few strong storms producing gusty winds cannot be ruled out, but widespread severe weather appears unlikely.

- Continued hot conditions through Friday; heat index values between 100-105 degrees expected.

- Cool down this weekend with temperatures a few degrees below normal, along with drier weather.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 216 PM CDT Tue Jul 28 2026

Ridging continue to dominate the central portions of the country. The center of the ridge has shifted off to the south and west slightly compared to the past couple of days as a shortwave passes across the Great Lakes region into the Northeast. Overnight showers and thunderstorms that followed the mid/upper level thermal ridge continue to linger across southeast Kansas early this afternoon. Widespread mid level clouds have kept temperatures at bay so far this afternoon. But as clouds continue to clear out, we're going to see a late day rebound in temperatures with afternoon highs reaching around 100 degrees for southern Kansas with locations in central into eastern Kansas only reaching into the lower to middle 90s.

For tonight through Friday, as the forecast area sits on the northeastern edge of the mid/upper ridge, small perturbations in the flow will lead to rain and storm chances each night. Diurnal convection that develops on the High Plains during the afternoon hours will travel across central into southeastern Kansas each night into the morning hours. Due to the overall warm column, severe weather is not anticipated with tonight or Wednesday night's activity. However, when a more potent shortwave passes across the Northern Plains into the Upper Midwest on Thursday night, a weak frontal boundary will sweep across the state. This setup will support more widespread showers and storms into Friday morning. While severe weather is not widely anticipated, the synoptic forcing combined with the moderately unstable environment may support some stronger wind gusts and heavy rain.

Temperatures through the end of the work week will remain slightly above normal for this time of year as we remain solidly under the influence of the ridge. Afternoon highs will reach into the middle to upper 90s for most with locations in far south-central Kansas topping out around 100 each day. Peak heat index values will also reach into the 100-105 degree range for many across the forecast area. We will continue to not receive much relief during the overnight hours as lows will only fall into the middle to upper 70s each night.

Then for Saturday through the end of the forecast period, slightly below normal temperatures are expected this weekend behind the "cold" front. The ridge will be further shunted to the west and the forecast area will be under northerly flow. Afternoon highs across the region look to reach into the upper 80s to lower 90s with overnight lows falling into the 60s. Heights then look to gradually increase for early next week with temperatures creeping back into the lower to middle 90s in response. A much drier airmass will also filter in along with the more mild temperatures with PWATs around 1" for this weekend into early next week. This will limit rain chances and lead to mild RH values in the 30% range, meaning it will feel downright pleasant with heat indices around 90 degrees.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1158 AM CDT Tue Jul 28 2026

A few sprinkles or light rain showers will gradually diminish over eastern Kansas with some lingering high clouds while VFR prevails. Another round of showers and storms moving off the Central High Plains may impact parts of central Kansas tonight but confidence remains fairly low with only a mention at KSLN after 09Z. Even with some shower and storm activity, VFR is expected to prevail with light southeast winds becoming light and easterly tonight.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT this evening for KSZ067>072-082- 083-091>096-098>100.