417 FXUS63 KICT 050859 AFDICTArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Wichita KS 359 AM CDT Sun Oct 5 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Shower and storm chances increase late this afternoon and evening across central KS; a few severe storms are possible
- Below normal temperatures arrive early next week; warming trend late next week
&&
.DISCUSSION... Issued at 357 AM CDT Sun Oct 5 2025
As of 330 AM Sunday morning, an expansive midlevel ridge has shifted east of the central Plains with the approach of a western CONUS trough. A lead shortwave trough, currently across western SD, was aiding to shunt a surface trough into portions of northwest KS. An impressive temperature gradient resides along the front with 40s behind the front and 70s ahead. A stout pre-frontal pressure gradient remains across central and western KS with southerly wind gusts up to 35 mph. VAD wind profiles across the Plains reveal WAA with low and midlevel veering wind profiles. Scattered reflectivity returns have been noted across portions of western KS in response to this WAA pattern. Cloud bases are between 10-15 kft with a tremendously dry sub-cloud layer. As a result, most areas will remain dry this morning.
Transitioning into this afternoon, the surface trough axis will extend from southwest KS into north central KS. Scattered thunderstorm development is expected along/immediately behind the front with initiation likely near or just west of Russell/Barton counties. HRRR/RAP forecast soundings reveal steep low-level lapse rates (8-9 C/km) with modest midlevel lapse rates (7-8 C/km), contributing to MLCAPE up to 1000 J/kg. Modest veering and acceleration of the vertical wind profile will create 30-40 kt of effective shear. As such, a few strong or severe storm cannot be ruled out this afternoon and evening. The strongest storms will be capable of large hail up to quarter size and damaging winds up to 65m mph.
The frontal zone will slowly move across the forecast area Monday into Tuesday, setting the stage for additional shower and thunderstorm chances (30-60%). Temperatures behind the front will be much cooler with highs in the 60s and 70s. Surface ridging will settle into the area by mid-week with seasonable temperatures and light winds. Midlevel ridging will build across the central/southern Plains for the second half of the week, which will likely result in a warming trends with temperatures nearing 80 degrees once again.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1055 PM CDT Sat Oct 4 2025
Little to no changes from 00z TAF issuance.
Stout/gusty south winds will prevail overnight and Sunday, ahead of a strong cold front approaching from the west. Low- level wind shear within 1500-2000 ft AGL will prevail through early Sunday for the TAF sites RSL-GBD-SLN-HUT-ICT, due to a 45-60 kt south-southwesterly low-level jet.
A strong cold front approaching from the northwest will support scattered thunderstorms by early Sunday evening over central and north-central Kansas. Inserted PROB30 groups at RSL and GBD to cover this threat. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible.
&&
.ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...BRF AVIATION...ADK
NWS ICT Office Area Forecast Discussion