Kansas – Morning frost glimmers across the plains near Wichita as the first rays of sun break through a quiet, chilly sky. The air feels calm now, but subtle changes are already stirring in the upper Midwest — the kind that tend to sneak south into Kansas by the weekend.
For Thanksgiving travelers, though, the news is good. The National Weather Service in Wichita says Thursday will be sunny and mild, with highs near 50°F and light winds — a perfect setup for road trips along I-35 or I-70. Even Friday looks manageable, with dry conditions and highs in the upper 40s, making this one of the better travel stretches of the week for south-central Kansas.
But by Friday night, moisture begins to return as a developing storm system pushes out of the Rockies, bringing a 40–50% chance of rain that could last into Saturday. Temperatures will hover in the 40s during the day, but drop toward the low 20s by late Saturday, allowing some areas north and west of Wichita to see a light rain-to-snow changeover.
No major accumulation is expected yet, but this early winter pattern hints at what’s ahead. Models suggest a strong Arctic front arriving around December 1–5, which could unleash heavier snow and widespread cold across much of the central U.S., including Kansas.
For now, Thanksgiving travel remains clear and comfortable, but those heading home later in the weekend should stay alert — wet roads Saturday night could freeze fast, marking the first true winter tease for the Sunflower State.
