265 FXUS63 KICT 051928 AFDICTArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 228 PM CDT Sun Oct 5 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Showers and storms return late this afternoon and evening in central KS, with a few strong to severe storms possible.
- A cooldown begins Monday, widespread below normal temperatures Tuesday, then a slight warming trend to finish out the week.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 228 PM CDT Sun Oct 5 2025
Water vapor imagery and RAP analysis this afternoon indicate continued strong mid/upper flow over the Plains as a lead shortwave lifts to the northeast over the Dakotas. The associated cold front spans from the Oklahoma Panhandle through western Kansas into far eastern South Dakota. This feature is expected to continue advancing eastward through the afternoon hours, with short-term ensembles remaining consistent in their expectation for showers and storms developing along it around/after 6 PM in locations just west of Russell and Barton Counties. As previous discussions have highlighted, steep low-level lapse rates (8-9 C/km) alongside modest values in the mid-levels will allow for roughly 1000 J/kg of CAPE. With the mid/upper jet overhead, effective shear values in the 30-40 kt range combined with a veering vertical wind profile and this instability may allow for the development of some strong to severe thunderstorms especially prior to sunset in central Kansas. DCAPE values around 1000 J/kg suggest a threat for wind gusts up to 65 mph with the strongest storms, though hail up to quarter size may be possible as well. Additionally, with steering flow oriented roughly parallel to the front amid PWATs 150-200% of normal, training showers and storms may present a flooding risk going into the overnight hours in central Kansas as the system slowly moves to the east.
Below normal high temperatures (60s and low 70s) are expected to begin the work week on Monday in central Kansas thanks to low clouds and continuing rain. This area of cooler temperatures could expand into south central Kansas depending on low cloud coverage, but decided to confine to areas primarily north of US-50 due to uncertainty in cloud coverage at this time. Confidence is higher in cooler highs areawide on Tuesday with forecast values five to ten degrees below average for this time of year. These are not anticipated to last for long thanks to the mid-level ridge building back in by Wednesday, which will allow for a slight warming trend and highs returning to the upper 70s and low 80s to close out the week.
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.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1243 PM CDT Sun Oct 5 2025
Breezy southerly surface winds will continue at all sites through the early afternoon before gradually diminishing through the early evening as a cold front approaches the region. Showers and thunderstorms will develop along this front this evening across central Kansas mainly impacting KRSL and KGBD initially. The front will continue to move southeast through the overnight hours with showers and storms eventually spreading to KSLN, KHUT, and KICT by tomorrow morning. Behind the front, winds will become northerly and MVFR to IFR ceilings will develop and persist through the end of this TAF period.
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.ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None.
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DISCUSSION...JWK AVIATION...WI
NWS ICT Office Area Forecast Discussion