Record rainfall in Wichita leads to ‘steady improvement’ of drought, forecaster says
November is continuing to break rainfall records for the Wichita area.
Even in the middle of a drought, this month has been the wettest November on record — beating 1909’s record of 6.69 inches for the entire month. Now, just over halfway through the month, the city has seen 6.99 inches, a National Weather Service forecaster told The Eagle.
Through midnight Sunday, Nov. 17, the National Weather Service recorded 5.97 inches of rain. And as of 11:30 a.m. Monday, Wichita had seen an additional 1.02 inches.
“We’re expecting more today, off and on, light rain for the rest of the day,” said Scott Smith, forecaster for the National Weather Service. “Probably not a whole lot more, but we’re definitely going to get a little bit more before this is all said and done.”
November is still expected to break more records in rainfall.
“I’m sure we’re going to get some more rain here before the month is over, so we’ll keep climbing,” Smith said.
The rest of the week is expected to see some sun.
How has the rainfall impacted drought conditions?
The recent rainfall has meant good news for Wichita’s ongoing drought.
“It’s showing steady improvement, and that was before this rainstorm. So this rainstorm will just add to it,” Smith said.
The main issue of concern with Wichita’s drought has been Cheney Lake, the source of Wichita’s municipal water. As of Nov. 4, the lake’s levels were at 56.24%.
“I imagine that [the rainfall] is helping that out as well,” Smith said.
The city is still under phase 2 of its drought response plan, which it triggered August, when Cheney Lake dropped below 62% full. Previously, the city moved to this phase when Cheney dipped below a 69% annual average. Now, it’s up to city officials to decide when to enter the phase.
Here’s a look at this week’s forecast, from the National Weather Service:
- Tuesday, Nov. 19: Sunny with a high around 54 and a low of 33. Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 23 miles per hour.
- Wednesday: Sunny with a high around 50 and a low of 32. Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 30 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny with a high around 50 and a low of 29.
- Friday: Sunny day with a high around 51 and a partly cloudy evening/night with a low of 31.
- Saturday: Sunny day with a high of 50 and a cloudy evening/night with a low of 37.
