Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
Versions:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
923 FXUS63 KICT 021127 AFDICT Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 527 AM CST Mon Feb 2 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Patch freezing fog possible this morning, localized impacts including a few slick spots possible. - Above normal temperatures through much of the forecast period. - Slight chance of a few snow flurries/freezing drizzle late Tue/early Wed with a subtle cooldown on Wed. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 228 AM CST Mon Feb 2 2026 Currently, the upper-level ridge axis is aligned over the Rockies with the trough lifting off the East Coast. Northwesterly flow overhead helped warm temperatures yesterday afternoon and many saw significant snow melt. This has lead to a shallow layer of moist air right at the surface and as temperatures fall to meet the dewpoint this morning, we could see patchy freezing fog develop across the region. Guidance remains lackluster regarding major impacts with the HREF giving 30-40% probabilities of visibility under 2 miles. Some localized impacts are expected, but conditions will begin to improve by mid-morning as temperatures quickly warm. For the rest of today through mid week, a much more mild pattern is on tap with upper-level ridging attempting to build in over the central part of the country. The warming trend will continue, however lingering snowpack will greatly impact temperatures along and east of I-135 for the next day or two. High temperatures today will reach into the 40s to around 50 degrees in central Kansas. Later today, a weak clipper system will begin to dive into the Northern Plains dragging with it an associated surface cold front that will push through the area on Tuesday. High temperatures on Tuesday will not be markedly cooler, though we will begin to see some cooler air nudge into northeastern Kansas. On Tuesday Night/Wednesday morning, light freezing drizzle or snow flurries are possible in our central Kansas counties. Minimal impacts are expected at this time with only trace accumulations expected which could lead to a few slick spots for the commute Wednesday morning. This activity will quickly diminish and shift east as the dry, post- frontal air filters into the area on Wednesday morning. The weak trough will then swing across the Plains on Wednesday, settling the cooler air over the region. Highs on Wednesday will top out near normal in the lower to middle 40s. For Thursday and Friday, ridging will finally succeed in building over the region and we will see above normal temperatures across the entire forecast area with widespread 50s to close to 60 degrees for western and southern portions of the forecast area. A weak back-door cold front looks to swing through the area on Saturday as a trough digs across the Great Lakes Region, acting to suppress the warming trend. Temperatures for the weekend will remain above average, but will top out in the lower to middle 50s. No precipitation is expected with this weak passing system, and only a few clouds are anticipated for Sat/Sun. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 524 AM CST Mon Feb 2 2026 Patchy freezing fog will impact locations in south-central and central Kansas this morning. Only brief, MVFR conditions are anticipated with this activity. Then, southerly winds will turn northerly later in the period, generally remaining under 10 knots. && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...AMD AVIATION...AMD