Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
Issued by NWS Wichita, KS
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289 FXUS63 KICT 181121 AFDICT Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 521 AM CST Tue Nov 18 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Continued above normal temperatures through much of the next 7 days - Patchy fog possible this morning and again Wednesday morning - Shower and thunderstorm chances arrive late Wednesday night into (30-60%) Thursday morning; widespread showers (80-90%) Thursday into Friday && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 329 AM CST Tue Nov 18 2025 As of 3 AM Tuesday morning, a compact midlevel shortwave trough was advancing across eastern NE. An axis of low-level WAA extends from northern IA into IL with a secondary axis across southwest MO. Dry conditions are expected for the remainder of today with the WAA axis remaining east of the forecast area. At the surface, an attendant surface trough axis extends from eastern NE through south-central KS. A wind shift from the northwest is evident behind the trough axis with temperatures in the upper 30s/low 40s. This trough axis will slide through the remainder of the area through the morning hours. Ahead of the trough axis, light winds and small dew point depressions were contributing to patchy fog development across the Flint Hills. Transitioning into today and tonight, the aforementioned surface trough will exit the area to the southeast with surface ridging sliding into the area. Light winds and small dew point depressions may result in patchy fog formation once again late tonight into Wednesday morning. The surface ridge will quickly side east through the day Wednesday as lee troughing develops across the high Plains with the approach of a southwest US midlevel trough. The initial impacts from this midlevel trough will arrive late Wednesday night into Thursday morning as strong WAA overspreads portions of south-central and southeast KS. In addition, a steep midlevel lapse rate plume will overspread the Plains with the approach of the midlevel trough. Latest mid-range deterministic and CAM guidance are suggesting strong WAA will extend through 850 mb, especially along and southeast of the KS Turnpike. This results in the erosion of most, if not all, inhibition for elevated instability. MUCAPE up to 1500 J/kg would become realized should this scenario emerge. In addition, hodographs within this elevated environment reveal both veering and acceleration of the wind profile, producing upwards of 30-40 kt of effective shear. All of that to say, large hail would become a possibility in this scenario. Moisture depth trends will need to be monitored over the coming days to reevaluate the strong/severe storm potential. Strong midlevel height falls will overspread the central Plains Thursday into Thursday night, resulting in widespread rainfall, especially across south-central and southeast KS. Additional deformation precipitation is likely Friday into Friday evening as the midlevel level trough slowly progresses into the MS valley. Midlevel ridging will slide into the central/southern Plains throughout the weekend with mostly sunny skies and seasonable temperatures in the 50s to near 60 expected. Another strong midlevel trough will begin its approach the central Plains by late weekend into early next week. Shower chances will once again increase with its approach. Stay tuned. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 518 AM CST Tue Nov 18 2025 Patchy fog will continue across southeast KS through 14Z and may briefly impact CNU with MVFR VSBY. A cold front is making its way through the area, shifting winds from the northwest at 10-15 kt. Winds will go light and variable by 01Z. Additional patchy fog is possible, especially across central KS but confidence is too low for inclusion at this time. && .ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...BRF AVIATION...BRF