FXUS63 KICT 200328

AFDICT



Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service Wichita KS

1028 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



.KEY MESSAGES...



- Unseasonably hot air will overspread the area through Saturday with

  some new records likely. A cold front will arrive on Sunday 

  ushering in more seasonable air.



- Warmer air will quickly return after a brief cooldown with above 

  normal values returning for much of the upcoming week. 



- Dry weather is expected to persist over the upcoming week.



&&



.DISCUSSION...

Issued at 100 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



An anomalous mid/upper ridge over the Southwest will remain in place 

through Saturday. The Central Plains will be influenced by this 

ridge with dry and mild conditions anticipated through Saturday

night with highs in the 80s/90s (some record highs possible).



A shortwave trough racing eastward along the Canadian border will 

help to break down the mid/upper ridge over the Northern Plains 

while driving a cold front south across the Central Plains. This 

front is progged to arrive on Sunday, shifting winds to the 

northwest and ushering in more seasonable air. With the front 

and gusty winds, we will see an increasing fire danger threat as

well, see the fire weather section below for more details.



The cooldown will be short-lived as rising heights/increasing 

thickness will bring above average temperatures back to the area Tue-

Wed. Another cold front is progged to arrive late in the Week ushering

in more seasonable air on Thursday. Dry weather is expected to prevail

through the period.



&&



.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/...

Issued at 1018 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



VFR conditions will prevail over the next 24hrs with light winds

overnight. A weak frontal boundary will drop southward across

the region on Friday causing the winds to flip around to the

north. 



&&



.FIRE WEATHER...

Issued at 100 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



Very high to extreme fire danger is expected on Saturday and Sunday 

for much of the area and a Fire Weather Watch has been posted. Hot 

and very dry air will combine with 15 to 25 mph winds on Saturday 

afternoon. A cold front will arrive on Sunday shifting winds to the 

northwest while above average temperatures and dry weather persist.



A very high fire danger may return for parts of the area as we move 

into next week with very dry conditions and breezy winds during

the afternoon hours.



&&



.CLIMATE...

Issued at 103 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



Record highs are likely on Friday, and maybe Saturday.



Friday (3/20):

Wichita: Forecast - 88, Record - 89 (2017) 

Salina: Forecast -  87, Record - 86 (1934) 

Chanute: Forecast - 87, Record - 87 (2017) 

Russell: Forecast - 87, Record - 85 (1953)



Saturday (3/21):

Wichita: Forecast - 90, Record - 92 (1916)

Salina:  Forecast - 91, Record - 96 (1907)

Chanute: Forecast - 88, Record - 95 (1916)

Russell: Forecast - 92, Record - 85 (1997)



&&



.ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

Fire Weather Watch from Saturday afternoon through Sunday 

evening for KSZ032-033-047>053-067>070-082-083-091>094-098.



&&



$$



DISCUSSION...MWM

AVIATION...CDJ

FIRE WEATHER...MWM

CLIMATE...MWM