KANSAS — A crisp, hard freeze greets south-central Kansas this morning as Wichita shivers at just 18°F, the wind chill biting even lower. Under clear skies and calm winds, frost stretches across fields and rooftops — a true December cold snap signaling that winter is settling in for real.
The National Weather Service in Wichita reports another cold but sunny day ahead, with highs reaching the mid-40s by afternoon. Winds will shift south at 5 to 9 mph, providing a brief, mild rebound before another sharp drop after sunset. Tonight’s low plunges back near 27°F, setting up another round of frost and slick early-morning spots for commuters.
Clouds move in midweek, keeping highs near the low 40s Wednesday before another surge of cold air sweeps south. North-northeast winds up to 14 mph, gusting 25 mph, will make Thursday feel brisk, with temperatures barely climbing above freezing. The stretch of below-normal temperatures will dominate much of the week before a gradual warm-up into the weekend.
Though no snow is in the immediate outlook, meteorologists hint at early signs of pattern changes next week that could bring the first measurable snow to parts of Kansas before mid-December. For now, the focus is on frost, freeze, and black ice concerns — especially on shaded bridges, rural roadways, and parking lots during morning hours.
Five-Day Wichita Outlook:
- Tuesday: Sunny, high 45°F, low 27°F.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, high 42°F, low 17°F.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, high 31°F, low 22°F.
- Friday: Sunny, high 46°F, low 27°F.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high 48°F.
