Wichita, KS – Kansas residents face a volatile weekend of shifting weather, with fire risk Friday and strong storms threatening by late Saturday across Wichita and surrounding counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Wichita, gusty south winds up to 39 mph and above-normal temperatures will drive a high grassland fire danger through Friday evening. Central and south-central Kansas, especially areas along I-135, are most vulnerable. Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning and secure loose materials that could become airborne.
By Saturday night, chances for thunderstorms increase sharply. The National Weather Service projects a 50 percent chance of showers and storms beginning Saturday evening and continuing into Sunday morning. Some storms may be severe, with large hail and damaging winds. Sub-freezing temperatures are also possible overnight Sunday into early Monday, particularly in rural areas with exposed vegetation.
Here’s what to expect in Wichita:
- Friday: Breezy with a high near 75°F.
- Saturday: High near 82°F, with afternoon winds gusting up to 29 mph.
- Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, low near 44°F.
- Sunday: Slight chance of storms before 10 a.m., high near 57°F.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, high near 59°F.
- Tuesday: Slight chance of showers late, high near 70°F.
