Wichita, Kansas, is bracing for severe weather that could disrupt weekend plans, especially on Sunday night. As strong thunderstorms develop across south-central Kansas, residents should prepare for gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning. Here’s what to expect:
Thunderstorms Brewing for Sunday Night
The National Weather Service in Wichita has forecasted strong thunderstorms to develop late Sunday night into early Monday. Southeast and southern Kansas are most at risk for heavy rain, gusty winds, and frequent lightning.
Some areas, like Cow Creek near Hutchinson, could see flooding due to heavy rainfall on already saturated ground. The storms are expected to continue intermittently into Monday afternoon, making travel hazardous and possibly delaying outdoor plans.
Saturday Weather: Hot and Mostly Dry
Before the stormy conditions hit, Saturday in Wichita will be hot and mostly dry, with highs reaching 92°F under mostly sunny skies. While storms are not expected on Saturday, the heat will contribute to instability in the atmosphere, helping to fuel storm development late Sunday night. Winds could gust to over 40 mph during the storm activity.
Travel Precautions
Saturday’s weather will not significantly affect travel on major routes like U.S. Route 50, so road conditions will remain mostly clear. However, travelers are urged to stay weather-aware as the forecast for Sunday night and Monday morning includes storm chances that could make travel more dangerous, especially with gusty winds and heavy downpours.
Extended Forecast: What to Expect Next Week
After the weekend storms, Tuesday will likely see fewer thunderstorms, but isolated rain and thunder chances remain throughout the middle of the week. This could affect outdoor activities in the lead-up to the July 4th holiday.
Here’s the five-day forecast for Wichita, Kansas:
Five-Day Forecast (June 28 – July 2)
Saturday: Mostly sunny with a high of 92°F. Slight chance of storms late.
Sunday: Chance of thunderstorms by the evening, with a high near 92°F.
Monday: Partly sunny with scattered storms after 1 p.m., high near 90°F.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of storms, high near 87°F.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a 20% storm chance, high near 88°F.