Wichita, Kansas – A quieter and milder stretch of winter weather is expected across Kansas beginning Thursday, with temperatures trending above normal while precipitation chances remain below average through early next week.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, Kansas is forecast to experience above-normal temperatures from Thursday through Monday, paired with below-normal precipitation. This pattern limits storm systems across the central Plains and brings a break from the colder, more unsettled conditions often seen in mid-January.
Central and southern Kansas, including Wichita, Hutchinson, Salina, McPherson, and Great Bend, are expected to see mostly dry conditions with daytime highs running warmer than typical for this time of year. Overnight lows will still dip into colder ranges but should remain manageable, reducing the frequency of hard freezes. Clearer skies at times may allow for noticeable warming during the afternoon hours.
Eastern Kansas, including Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan, and the Kansas City metro area, will also trend drier than normal. While cloud cover may increase at times, meaningful precipitation is unlikely. The lack of moisture may allow soils to dry further, particularly in agricultural areas that have already seen limited winter rainfall.
Western Kansas, including Dodge City, Garden City, Liberal, and Hays, is expected to see similar conditions. Dry air and sunshine will dominate, with above-average temperatures and minimal weather disruptions. Day-to-night temperature swings may be more noticeable in rural areas due to clear skies.
Travel conditions are expected to remain favorable along major routes such as Interstate 70, Interstate 35, U.S. Highway 54, and U.S. Highway 83, with no widespread weather-related delays anticipated.
While the warmer and drier pattern may be welcome for travel and outdoor activities, longer-term moisture concerns will continue to be monitored. For now, the mild and dry setup is expected to persist into early next week, with any return to more active weather likely beyond this period.
