


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
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750 FXUS63 KICT 091732 AFDICT Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 1232 PM CDT Thu Oct 9 2025 ...Updated Aviation Discussion... .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated storms possible this morning and again Friday morning - Warming trend through the weekend - Cooler temperatures and rain chances return early next week && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 210 AM CDT Thu Oct 9 2025 As of 2 AM Thursday morning, a midlevel ridge axis continues to progress eastward into the Plains. At the surface, the eastern half of KS continues to be under the influence of an area of high pressure. This area of high pressure is leading to light east/southeast winds below 10 mph. VAD wind profiles across the region all reveal modest WAA with veering profiles from 925mb through 700mb. As we progress through the remainder of this morning, a 30-35 kt LLJ will veer from south to north, to southwest to northeast. This will contribute to a weak convergence zone across portions of central/south-central KS and into the Flint Hills. IR satellite reveals a residual area of stratus near 8kft from north-central KS into southeast KS. This axis of cloud cover likely reveals the most-likely area for convection. RAP/HRRR/NAM forecast soundings reveal modest lapses rates (~6.5 C/km) above the aforementioned stratus deck with upwards of 600-800 J/kg of elevated instability possible. Modest acceleration of the wind profile from 2-6 km will contribute to 20- 30 kt of effective shear. All of that to say, isolated thunderstorms are possible through mid to late morning. The combination of instability and shear may support small hail. Transitioning into tonight, a northern stream shortwave trough will eject across the Great Lakes, shunting a weak cold front towards eastern KS. A few showers/storms are possible along this frontal zone with strong/severe storms not expected. The midlevel ridge axis will slide overhead for Friday and Saturday, returning afternoon temperatures into the low/mid 80s. The ridge will begin to shift east late Saturday into Sunday as a western US trough approaches the Plains. This trough will contribute to the deepening of a lee surface trough across the High Plains. The tightening surface pressure gradient will lead to southerly wind gusts near 30-35 MPH Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The strongest gusts are expected across central KS. The surface trough will progress through the state Monday. Not only will cooler temperatures arrive behind the front but shower and storm chances will return as well (20-30%). An active midlevel pattern appears to emerge through the mid to latter portions of next week with additional shower/storm chances. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1226 PM CDT Thu Oct 9 2025 MVFR ceilings at ICT will continue to lift out, returning to VFR ceilings by early afternoon. VFR conditions are expected through this TAF period. Breezy southerly winds with gusts up to 25 kts are expected at RSL, GBD, and SLN through sunset. LLWS is possible tonight in central and south-central KS, but confidence was not high enough to include in this TAF issuance. Southerly winds at RSL and SLN are expected to shift to easterly by early Friday afternoon. && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...BRF AVIATION...GC