WICHITA, Kansas – The prairie wind is still gentle this morning, but a biting chill is already on the move toward south-central Kansas. After a stretch of golden, late-fall warmth, an Arctic air mass is expected to sweep through the state this weekend, dropping temperatures by nearly 40 degrees and bringing the first hard freeze of November.
According to the National Weather Service in Wichita, Saturday will begin mild and sunny, with highs near 62°F and a steady south breeze. Winds will strengthen through the afternoon — gusting up to 35 mph — as the cold front dives in from the north. By sunrise Sunday, readings will plunge into the low 30s, and the day’s high may struggle to break 41°F despite full sunshine.
The sharp change will bring a distinctly winter-like feel to Sunday’s air. North winds could make outdoor plans brisk and uncomfortable, especially for early Veterans Day setups or weekend sporting events. By late Sunday night, temperatures are expected to fall into the lower 20s, prompting frost and freeze concerns across Sedgwick, Butler, and Harvey counties.
Residents should wrap exposed pipes, disconnect garden hoses, and protect tender plants before the front arrives. Pet owners are urged to bring animals indoors as the coldest air of the season settles in.
While the chill will ease slightly by Veterans Day, the broader pattern hints that more Arctic pushes are likely before Thanksgiving. For now, Kansans can expect one of those classic November turnarounds — calm sunshine one day, and a sharp, breath-stealing cold the next.
Five-Day Forecast for Wichita, KS:
Fri: 58/45 – Sunny; calm breeze, mild afternoon.
Sat: 62/32 – Sunny and breezy; gusts near 35 mph.
Sun: 41/22 – Sunny, windy; sharp cold snap.
Mon: 45/35 – Sunny, chilly start; light breeze.
Tue (Veterans Day): 64/40 – Mostly sunny; gradual warming trend.
