Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS

Current Version |  Previous Version |  Graphics & Text |  Print | Product List |  Glossary Off
Versions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43
-- Remove Highlighting --
-- Discussion containing changed information from previous version are highlighted. --
345 FXUS63 KICT 241731 AFDICT Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 1231 PM CDT Mon Jun 24 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Hot conditions expected today and Tuesday. Heat indices between 105 and 110 expected during the afternoon hours each day. - Isolated strong to marginally severe storms possible overnight tonight across central Kansas, then again late Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday morning area-wide. - Periodic rain chances from Wednesday night through Saturday night with the highest chances Friday and Saturday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 341 AM CDT Mon Jun 24 2024 Water vapor satellite and upper air analysis shows a stout mid to upper ridge across southern plains and Desert Southwest. This is going to promote hot conditions across much of the central and southern plains over the next couple of days. For today, moisture mixing out should allow for temperatures to reach or exceed 100 degrees this afternoon. However, just enough moisture should remain to allow for much of the area to see heat indices near or at 105. A subtle upper wave will skate over the High Plains, and isolated storm development is possible this evening across portions of western Nebraska and northwest Kansas. A couple of these storms could sneak into central Kansas during the overnight hours. Should storms survive, the main concern will be gusty winds. Additional storms could develop Tuesday morning, along a mid-level baroclinic zone across portions of northeast Kansas. This potential will introduce some uncertainty for afternoon temperatures on Tuesday along and northeast of a Salina-Marion-Chanute line. Deterministic and ensemble models are signaling a hot and humid day on Tuesday across much of the forecast area. Both the EPS and GEFS show 850 mb temps and PWs over the 90-95th percentile for this time of year. Surface temperatures will also be warmer ahead of a sagging frontal boundary as compressional warming helps much of the area rise into the upper 90s and low 100s despite higher dewpoints. All in all, these conditions will result in widespread heat indices between 105 and 109. Some areas across south-central Kansas could see heat indices exceed 110, although confidence on this outcome is low enough on this forecast cycle that we elected to go with a heat advisory for Tuesday afternoon/evening. Meanwhile, the aforementioned frontal boundary will and associated subtle upper trough embedded in northwest flow should be enough to trigger at least isolated storms Tuesday night across northeast and central Kansas. Some models also suggest storm development along a thermal trough or remnant outflow boundary across portions of northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas, but this aspect of the forecast has very low confidence. Forecast soundings indicate copious amounts of DCAPE. As a result, strong to marginally severe wind gusts are going to be possible with any storm that develop. Storms should gradually dissipate overnight Tuesday night as the front continues south and east washes out. Behind this frontal passage, temperatures are expected to be closer to average for this time of year as weak to modest zonal flow returns to the region. Subtle perturbations should allow for storm development across the High Plains Wednesday and Thursday; however, confidence is low if this activity can make it east enough to impact portions of central and south-central Kansas. Friday evening through Saturday night appears to be the region`s next best chances at more widespread thunderstorms as another cold front sags into the region. Though, there are lots of details to work out between now and then, and the forecast for the beginning of the weekend is subject to change. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
-- Changed Discussion --
Issued at 1231 PM CDT Mon Jun 24 2024 VFR conditions are expected for this TAF cycle with a strong ridge overhead. This will keep the chances for showers and thunderstorms for this TAF cycle minimal at best. KRSL and KGBD are the most likely terminals to see any convection but confidence is too low to place it in the TAF at this time. The main concern will be the high temperatures and humidity which will push the density altitude into the 4000-5000 ft range. This could be an issue for density altitude sensitive airframes this afternoon. Tonight will be VFR with lighter winds.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& .CLIMATE... Issued at 314 AM CDT Mon Jun 24 2024 Record highs for Monday and Tuesday: Today (Record) | Today`s Highs Wichita 103 (1980) 102 Salina 107 (1937) 103 Chanute 105 (1918) 100 Russell 110 (2012) 104 Tuesday (Record)|Tuesday`s Highs Wichita 107 (1911) 101 Salina 114 (1911) 101 Chanute 104 (1933) 97 Russell 108 (2012) 101 && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
-- Changed Discussion --
Heat Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for KSZ032-033- 047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100. Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM CDT Tuesday for KSZ032-033- 047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100.
-- End Changed Discussion --
&& $$ DISCUSSION...JC AVIATION...ELM CLIMATE...ELM