textproduct: Topeka

KEY MESSAGES

- Cold front brings strong winds and cooler temperatures today

- Red Flag Conditions today

- Warmth returns Wednesday and Thursday with another system moving through Thursday with a chance of precipitation and breezy conditions

DISCUSSION

Issued at 117 AM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026

Breezy south to southwest winds have kept temperatures across much of eastern Kansas well into the 70s as of this early morning hour, but the incoming front for today is making quick progress across Iowa and Nebraska. Still anticipate these winds to move into the state around 12z and move quickly south. Sustained winds in the 20-30 mph range are expected with gusts 30-35 in the eastern part of the state while approaching 40 west of Topeka where a wind advisory is in place. A Red Flag warning goes into effect today into this evening as the stronger winds pass through. Temperatures will fall with the front, eventually dropping back into the 30s in the late night hours as the cooler airmass settles in. Winds diminish quickly in the evening hours. Highs hold in the 50s for Monday - which may be the only day with near climatological normal temperatures for this time of year.

The ridge over the SW US rebounds quickly, bringing warmer temperatures on its eastern periphery back into the state with 70s Tuesday and 80s Wednesday, with 80s for Thursday but depending on the speed of the next front could be an afternoon of falling temperatures, strong winds, and a low chance for some precipitation Thursday night into Friday.

Overall a pattern with a lot of shifting winds, variable temperatures and not many days with precipitation chances, all of which can impact fire weather concerns.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/

Issued at 613 PM CDT Sat Mar 21 2026

TAFs remain VFR through the cycle with shifting strong winds the primary concern. South to southwest winds overnight quickly become north northeast sustained in the 20-30 mph with gusts near 40 mph anticipated. This lasts through the afternoon before dying down in the evening hours. There may be a short window of variable winds as the front approaches the TAF sites around 12-14z.

FIRE WEATHER

Updated at 254 PM CDT Sat Mar 21 2026

Main story for today and impacts on fire are the incoming front. South southwesterly winds early this morning will quickly switch to north northeast and increase, with sustained winds in the 25-35 mph range and gusts of 35 to 45 for a time as the front passes. Stronger gusts west of Topeka has prompted a wind advisory, and a Red Flag warning will go into effect at 9am and continue into the evening. While RH values are near the 30 percent range, the strength of the winds and the shift in direction prompted the RFW.

Winds diminish to below 10 mph from north to south through the evening hours.

TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Wind Advisory from 7 AM this morning to 1 PM CDT this afternoon for KSZ008-KSZ009-KSZ010-KSZ020-KSZ021-KSZ022-KSZ023- KSZ034. Red Flag Warning from 9 AM this morning to 7 PM CDT this evening for KSZ008-KSZ009-KSZ010-KSZ011-KSZ012-KSZ020-KSZ021- KSZ022-KSZ023-KSZ024-KSZ026-KSZ034-KSZ035-KSZ036-KSZ037-KSZ038- KSZ039-KSZ040-KSZ054-KSZ055-KSZ056-KSZ058-KSZ059. Wind Advisory from 7 AM this morning to 4 PM CDT this afternoon for KSZ035-KSZ036-KSZ037-KSZ038-KSZ054.