textproduct: Wichita

KEY MESSAGES

- Scattered showers and storms with cooler conditions today.

- Hot and humid conditions return Friday persisting into next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 225 AM CDT Thu Jul 17 2025

Elevated showers and more widely scattered storms were situated north of the slow moving cold front early this morning. This activity will continue to propagate slowly south and east as we move through the morning hours today becoming more numerous across southern KS as we move toward the predawn hours. Meanwhile, the slow moving cold front is progged to become stationary in northern OK near the state line with plenty of residual low level moisture lingering. This will result in a weak cap with showers and storms redeveloping this afternoon with any attempt at heating. Poor mid-lvl lapse rates/weak deep layer shear will preclude widespread strong or severe storms today but we continue to see some support for efficient rainfall with PWATs over 2 inches and some potential for training cells across southern KS. Limited insolation and scattered afternoon showers will result in below normal temperatures today with highs in the upper 70s to upper 80s in most areas.

There is some support for storms this evening and tonight as moisture pools along the frontal boundary and a subtle LLJ ramps up. Some modest pops were maintained in the forecast. As we move into Friday, the warm front will return north allowing drier air to advect over the area. With plenty of insolation and breezy south winds, afternoon highs are expected to climb into the mid 90s, although parts of south central KS may see upper 90s.

Sat-Wed...The subtropical ridge is progged to amplify and the H7 thermal ridge will overspread eastern KS through the period. This is expected to result in hot and mostly dry weather conditions through the period. Flow around the mid/upper ridge may steer subtle shortwave troughs over the Central High Plains where scattered storms will be possible through much of the period. Some of this activity could drift into our central KS counties but most locations are expected to remain hot and dry through the period.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1233 AM CDT Thu Jul 17 2025

A cold front continues to move slowly southward across south central and southeast Kansas early this morning. Showers and more isolated storms were developing north of the boundary. We are also starting to see more widespread post-frontal stratus leading to MVFR cigs. South winds around 10-12 knots will become northeast in the wake of the front in the 10-15 knot range. Scattered showers and isolated storms are expected to gradually build southward becoming most numerous prior to 15Z across southern Kansas while IFR and MVFR cigs linger through much of the day. Low ceilings may return across the area tonight with scattered showers and storms also possible.

ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.