21 February 2024
Critical fire concerns are high through Wednesday afternoon in the southwest part of our viewing area near the Oklahoma state line.
A cold front is approaching the area which is enhancing an increase in wind speed tonight out west and farther east on Thursday. Still, temperatures will not fall below freezing overnight.
We will need to monitor fire weather concerns on Thursday given the dry and gusty nature of the wind. While temps cool off a few degrees, we are still unseasonably warm.
This evening, there will be two areas for showers to form. One in Northwest Kansas where a few rain showers are possible this evening and should exit early tonight. Moisture departs before a chance for snow showers with cooler air taking root. There is also a chance for thunderstorms southeast of the Turnpike, closer to the Oklahoma state line.
A Marginal Risk for a storm or two to produce dime to quarter size hail is possible in the southeast corner of Kansas through the Ozarks. The uptick in development will occur after 10 PM. Storm movement will be to the east into the overnight.
Winds will relax Friday with another warming trend set to begin. Highs this weekend return to the 60s and 70s.
Sunday will be the warmest of the two days. Next Monday, records could be in jeopardy with several highs near the Oklahoma state line reaching the 80s! Winds will become a problem to the southwest on Monday. Gusts from 35-45 MPH with locally higher gusts are possible. Winds will ramp up across the remainder of the state Tuesday with a stronger cold front on the approach.
This system will have some rain showers possible with a changeover to snow farther north and west. Right now, it will not be a huge moisture maker for us. Snowfall amounts look light. Temps will crash behind the front into Wednesday with highs just below average in the lower to middle 40s. Temps then accelerate rather quickly to end next week.
The days being colder are becoming fewer and fewer right now with time ticking closer to spring’s official start on March 19.
KSN Storm Track 3 Forecast from Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman:
Wichita:
Tonight: Partly cloudy. 20% chance of showers and storms. Lo: 44 Wind: SW/N 8-18
Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, windy. Hi: 63 Wind: N 15-25
Tomorrow Night: Partly cloudy to mostly clear. Lo: 37 Wind: N/W 5-15
Wichita Weekly
Fri: Hi: 65 Lo: 35 Mostly sunny, breezy.
Sat: Hi: 68 Lo: 44 Mostly sunny, breezy.
Sun: Hi: 72 Lo: 45 Mostly sunny.
Mon: Hi: 77 Lo: 47 Partly cloudy, windy.
Tue: Hi: 73 Lo: 32 Partly to mostly cloudy, windy. 10% chance of rain.
Wed: Hi: 42 Lo: 25 Mostly to partly cloudy, windy.
–Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman