textproduct: Wichita

DISCUSSION

Issued at 255 AM CDT Sun Apr 5 2026

Tranquil spring weather is expected across the region today as a ridge of high pressure moves slowly across the area bringing plenty of insolation and light winds. Afternoon highs are expected to rise into the mid and upper 60s for many areas. Normal highs for early April are in the mid 60s. As high pressure sinks southward into the Southern Plains tonight, light southerly winds will return.

Monday-Tuesday...a shortwave trough is progged to dig across the Great Lakes early in the week helping to drive a cold front south into the Central Plains. This front is progged to become stationary, bisecting northern Kansas. There appears to be reasonable agreement between the various short range models showing the front becoming stationary between I-70 and Highway 56 before it returns northward as a warm front as we move into the day on Tuesday. If this scenario plays out, any low precipitation chances should remain north of the forecast area with another mild day expected on Mon with highs in the low 70s. Breezy southerly winds will return on Tuesday as low pressure over the Central High Plains deepens allowing the pressure gradient force to increase downstream. Another mild day is expected while increasing winds could bring an increasing grassland fire danger to the area.

Wednesday...breezy southwest winds are expected ahead of frontal boundary on Wed as a vigorous mid/upper trough moves eastward across the Northern Plains. Some increase in low level moisture is also expected with some showers and storm possible late in the period. We could see some strong/severe storms along the cold front with steep mid-lvl lapse rate and 45-50 knots of deep layer shear progged but with a late arrival, the best chances may remain over parts of central KS or along the I-70 corridor.

This front may become stationary across southern KS on Thursday providing a focus for showers and storms. Southwest mid/upper flow is progged to develop late in the week and into the weekend bringing a period of active weather with multiple opportunities for showers and thunderstorms as a vigorous mid/upper trough develops over the Southwest and moves into the central CONUS as we move into the weekend.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY/

Issued at 620 AM CDT Sun Apr 5 2026

Light and variable winds will prevail through the period with clear conditions.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 255 AM CDT Sun Apr 5 2026

Breezy southerly winds will return early in the week resulting in a very high grassland fire danger over much of central and parts of south central Kansas on Monday and Tuesday during the afternoon hours.

Southwest winds will increase across the area on Wednesday with minimum relative humidity falling to around 30 percent over parts of central Kansas resulting in very high grassland fire danger for areas along and west of the Flint Hills.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.