Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
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710 FXUS63 KICT 312312 AFDICT Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 612 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 ...Updated Aviation Discussion... .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated severe storms possible this afternoon and evening, mainly along/east of I-135 - Additional thunderstorms are possible each day next week - Seasonal temperatures over the next week with highs in the 80s to near 90 && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 233 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 Currently, an elongated, weak mid/upper level trough extends across the Northern Rockies into the Northern High Plains with ridging building in across the southern tier of the CONUS. At the surface, a weak trough is situated across western Kansas. Visible satellite indicates numerous lingering outflow boundaries draped across the central and eastern portions of the state from overnight convection. The moist airmass remains in place, primarily across eastern Kansas where PWATs between 1-1.5" have been observed this morning. As we progress into this afternoon, a sharpening dryline is expected across south-central Kansas into north-central Oklahoma that could initiate afternoon and evening convection once again. Confidence remains low as the ridge to the south begins to build in over the region, leading to increasing heights and weakening overall ascent over the region. Decent instability and sufficient shear would support isolated storms should they manage to develop. Current guidance indicates development along and east of I-135 with activity pushing east through the night. For Monday, a Slight Risk for severe storms returns for central Kansas. A low pressure will develop over the Central High Plains leading to easterly/southeasterly flow. This will support increased moisture and upslope flow across eastern CO/western Kansas. Storm development is anticipated during the afternoon hours across the High Plains. Storms will eventually congeal into a multicellular MCS that will march east-southeastward towards central Kansas during the late evening and overnight hours. Large hail and strong winds will be the main threats across central Kansas for late Monday night/early Tuesday morning. Then through the end of the week, a mid/upper level ridge will continue to build in over the region with the forecast area remaining just north of the ridge axis. This will lead seasonably warm temperatures (middle 80s to lower 90s), and an overall less supportive environment for more potent convection due to synoptic scale subsidence. However, due to the positioning of the upper-level flow, and given the buoyant lower-level airmass, some diurnally driven showers and storms look to develop each afternoon/evening. The potential for widespread severe weather remains low at this time. Confidence remains low on exact location and intensity of any convection for Tuesday through Saturday. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 611 PM CDT Sun May 31 2026 Light and variable winds are expected in central and south central KS through the overnight hours behind a slow-moving dryline progressing through the area. There remains a slight (20-30%) chance for showers and storms to develop along this boundary and impact CNU later this evening, so maintained the PROB30 group there for this issuance with a minor adjustment in timing. Short-term model soundings and HREF probabilities highlight the potential for patchy fog across portions of central and south central KS late tonight into early Monday morning. As such, expanded IFR/LIFR impacts to HUT with this cycle but kept ICT out for now. This may change as additional observations become available. Expect vsbys to dissipate by mid morning and give way to mostly clear skies and VFR conditions areawide. Easterly winds are forecast through the daytime hours across central and south central KS, while northerly winds prevail across southeast KS. Sustained speeds at/above 10 kts and gusts to 22 kts are expected, with the strongest winds in central KS. && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...AMD AVIATION...JWK