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Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
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165 FXUS63 KICT 182008 AFDICT Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 308 PM CDT Thu Jul 18 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Periodic rain chances are expected Friday through Tuesday; although storm coverage is likely to be hit-to-miss across the area. - Temperatures are expected to be near or below average for this time of year over the next 5-7 days. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 301 PM CDT Thu Jul 18 2024 The post-frontal regime remains well in place across Kansas this afternoon with temperatures in the upper 80s and dewpoints in the upper 50s and low 60s. Taking a look water vapor satellite early this afternoon, a strong upper ridge remains steadfast over the Four Corners region with longwave troughing across the eastern half of the CONUS. This keeps the central plains solidly in a northwesterly flow regime, and this pattern is likely to stay in place over the next week or so. This is likely to keep temperatures on the milder side over the next 5-7 days, and periodic rain chances remain in the forecast as ripples in the upper flow skate over the central plains this weekend and early next week. The area`s first rain chances during the forecast period are on Friday morning. A mid-level baroclinic zone is progged to be located across central Kansas and southern Nebraska, and subtle WAA with just enough instability should be enough to support at least isolated showers and storms along and west of US-81 Friday morning. By midday Friday, this activity is expected to wane, and in lieu of an approaching cold front, afternoon temperatures will be close to average for this time of year (generally in the low 90s). The greatest coverage in thunderstorms across the region Friday afternoon and evening will likely across western and central Nebraska. A somewhat organized MCS is likely to progress into northwest and north- central Kansas by Friday night where it likely start to struggle given the lack of instability and a weak (essentially non-existent) LLJ across much of Kansas. While PoPs have been held at 50% for much of central Kansas late Friday night into early Saturday morning, its possible storm coverage could be a bit more sparse. As the front passes through the area Saturday morning, some post frontal showers and storms cannot be ruled out, and additional thunderstorm development along the frontal boundary appears possible Saturday afternoon and night. By Saturday night, an upper low will gradually slide into the central plains out of the midwest. With this feature set to spin over the central plains during the latter part of the weekend and into the beginning of next week, additional rain chances are possible Sunday through Tuesday. Although, the coverage in storms are likely to be hit-or-miss across the area. Towards the end of the forecast period, this upper low is expected to open up and depart the central plains. As such, a gradual warming trends appears likely going into the middle to latter part of the week. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1238 PM CDT Thu Jul 18 2024 VFR conditions are expected through the TAF period. Winds will remain light and variable around 5 kt through much of the period. A few showers or storms are possible around 12Z at RSL and GBD but confidence is too low for mention at this time. && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...JC AVIATION...BRB