488
FXUS63 KICT 272029
AFDICT

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wichita KS
329 PM CDT Thu Mar 27 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated thunderstorms possible across central KS late this
  afternoon into the evening

- Off-and-on shower and storm chances over the next 7 days

- Very high fire danger continues through Saturday

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 325 PM CDT Thu Mar 27 2025

As of 330 PM Thursday afternoon, upper-level water vapor displays
ongoing ridging over the region that is traversing east, shifting
flow to westerly, with a subtle shortwave approaching from the west.
A 700 mb confluence zone has developed in southwest Kansas and
adjacent states, which is contributing to scattered shower and
thunderstorm development across far southwest KS. In addition, an
axis of weak low-level convergence zone has developed across
portions of central KS as 30 kt southwesterly winds merges with
lighter winds in northern Kansas, which may further aid in storm
initialization. Large DCAPE values up to 1300 J/kg may support
strong wind gusts around 60 mph as well as marginally severe hail.
Any convection will likely cease after sunset as nocturnal cooling
ensues.

Transitioning into Friday, midlevel ridging will slide east of area
as a western CONUS trough approaches the Plains. A deepening surface
trough across the High Plains will further increase the pressure
gradient with southerly wind gusts up to 40 mph possible Friday
afternoon. An initial shortwave trough will eject into the Plains
late Friday into Saturday, shunting the surface trough into portions
of central KS by early Saturday. Additional shortwave trough axis`
will eject into the Plains late Saturday into Sunday, further
advancing the front eastward. Considerable uncertainty remains with
the quality of low-level moisture and the northwest extent. Short
range and CAM guidance have trended towards a more-moist and slowed
progression of the trough axis when compared to the prior runs of
GFS/ECMWF and their ensemble guidance. A more-moist and slowed
progression of the surface trough would increase the potential for
strong to severe storms. Bottom line, trends will need to be
monitored over the next 24-48 hours. A second zone of precipitation
is post frontal showers/storms across central/northern KS with a
shortwave trough progressing from eastern CO into northern KS.
Lingering showers are possible through the day Sunday as the
aforementioned shortwave trough slowly moves across northern KS. The
frontal passage in conjunction with the lingering showers should keep
temperatures in the 50s to near 60 Sunday afternoon. Surface ridging
will build in Sunday night, allowing clear skies and light winds to
prevail. Temperatures will tumble through the 30s and even 20s
across central KS Sunday night/Monday morning. The potential for
frost and/or a hard freeze is increasing, especially across central
KS. Otherwise, quiet weather should persist through Monday with
surface ridging remaining in the neighborhood. Strong southerly low-
level flow will return Tuesday ahead of the next storm system poised
to impact the area late Tuesday into next Wednesday.


&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1236 PM CDT Thu Mar 27 2025

VFR conditions are expected at all sites except CNU through most
of this TAF period. Vicinity showers and scattered thunderstorms
are likely at CNU through 20z. Scattered thunderstorms are also
possible this afternoon until 02z at RSL, SLN, and GBD. Winds
will remain gusty with speeds up to 30 kts overnight, which
might mitigate the potential for low-level wind shear. Later
forecasts will need to reevaluate the wind shear potential. MVFR
ceilings are possible at the end of this period for ICT and CNU
as well.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 325 PM CDT Thu Mar 27 2025

Very high fire danger will continue through Saturday. Deep boundary
layer mixing combined with southwesterly winds will continue to
create very high fire danger into the evening hours across most of
the area. Another afternoon of gusty winds and low humidity will
create very high fire danger Friday afternoon. The threat of very
high fire danger continues into Saturday as well.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 312 AM CDT Thu Mar 27 2025

Record High Information for Thursday, March 27th:

Site:     Record (Year)    Forecast High

Wichita      90 (1895)          86

Salina       88 (1910)          88

Russell      80 (2019)          89

&&

.ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...BRF/GC
AVIATION...BRF/GC
FIRE WEATHER...BRF/GC
CLIMATE...BRF/GC