Kansas — A calm, cold start settles over south-central Kansas as the New Year begins, with clear skies giving way to pockets of fog near sunrise. Headlights catch the haze along quiet roads, a reminder that winter hazards don’t always fall from the sky.
According to the National Weather Service in Wichita, patchy fog may develop at times through this morning and could linger into Friday morning in parts of central and southeast Kansas. Visibility reductions may be brief, but drivers could encounter sudden changes, especially along rural highways and low-lying areas.
Wichita starts New Year’s Day mostly sunny, with temperatures climbing to the mid-50s. Roads remain dry, but cooler air returns tonight. Lows dip near 38 degrees, allowing moisture to settle again near sunrise. Use caution during early commutes, especially on bridges and shaded roadways.
Friday stays mostly cloudy, with highs near 48 degrees. Clouds gradually clear Friday night as colder air settles in. Overnight lows fall close to 30 degrees, raising the risk for frost and localized slick spots where fog moisture lingers.
The weekend brings quieter, brighter weather. Saturday turns sunny with highs around 52, followed by a milder Sunday near 56. Nights remain chilly, but conditions stay dry, improving travel confidence across the region.
Early next week, temperatures trend warmer. Highs push into the mid-60s by Monday, an unusual January warm-up. Despite the mild afternoons, clear nights could still allow fog to redevelop under calm winds.
Plan extra time if driving early, slow down in fog, and use low beams when visibility drops. Winter hazards can arrive quietly.
Seeing fog in your neighborhood this morning? Let us know how conditions look where you are.
Five-Day Outlook: Wichita, KS
• New Year’s Day: Mostly sunny, high near 55
• Friday: Mostly cloudy, high near 48
• Saturday: Sunny, high near 52
• Sunday: Partly sunny, high near 56
• Monday: Mostly sunny, high near 65
