Kansas greets Christmas morning wrapped in thick fog, muting headlights and swallowing familiar landmarks across south-central parts of the state. In Wichita, visibility has dropped to near a quarter mile, turning routine drives into cautious crawls as damp pavement glistens under streetlights.
According to the National Weather Service in Wichita, a Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect through late morning. The fog stretches across central, south-central, and southeast Kansas, including Sedgwick, Butler, Harvey, Reno, and McPherson counties. Temperatures hover near the freezing mark, raising concern for patchy slick spots on bridges and untreated roads.
Drivers along I-35, U.S. 54, and city arterials should slow down and allow extra space. Low visibility could change quickly, especially near open fields and low-lying areas. Use low-beam headlights and avoid sudden lane changes through midmorning.
Conditions improve later today as fog gradually lifts. Sunshine returns, and afternoon temperatures climb into the upper 60s. To be fair, the warm air offers a brief break from winter, but it does not last long.
Looking ahead, quiet and mild weather carries into Friday and Saturday, with highs near 70 degrees and light winds. Meteorologists are tracking a subtle shift late Saturday night into Sunday. Clouds increase, winds turn breezy, and temperatures slide back into the 50s.
By Sunday night into Monday, a sharper cold snap settles in. Lows dip into the lower 20s, bringing frost and freeze concerns for early-morning travel. While snow is not expected, cold pavement after recent moisture could support isolated slick spots.
Plan extra time this morning, enjoy the brief warmth, and prepare for colder air as post-Christmas travel ramps up into the new week. More advisories may follow if fog redevelops or temperatures fall faster than expected.
