Can Wichita expect warm weather, spring showers this March? When temps could rise for good
The latter half of March could bring warmer-than-normal temperatures and less precipitation to the Wichita area, one forecaster with the National Weather Service predicts.
“Right now, our average temperatures are in the lower 50s, so that’ll be closer into the lower 60s at the end of the month,” forecaster Mick McGuire, with the NWS Wichita office, told the Eagle Monday.
That might be welcome news after many chilly days across much the U.S. courtesy of the polar vortex and other severe weather, including a storm system with forecast hail and high winds Monday night.
According to a post by the NWS, this was the coldest January and February since 1985.
The Wichita area has has a warm couple of weeks recently, however, with highs around 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit and lows in the 40s. But unfortunately for warm weather lovers, that does not mean the cold temperatures are done for the season.
“Every time we see ... storm systems, it’s usually followed by a strong cold front,” McGuire said. “The good news is that the bursts of cold air ... as far as the duration of cold air goes, they should be shorter and shorter.”
In general, March is a month that brings both warm and cold weather to Kansas.
“It’s just a month where we see these big temperature swings,” he said.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average temperature Wichita sees in March is 47.4 degrees, while the precipitation normal is 2.3 inches. These averages are based on data from 2009-20.
The average last spring day with a temperature of 32 degrees usually lands around April 9, while the last spring day at 28 degrees usually lands around March 30, according to NOAA data.
What will spring look like for Wichita this year?
McGuire said it’s hard to tell right now what springtime will feel like temperature-wise in Wichita.
“Overall, there’s not a strong signal for temperatures in terms of below or near normal. There’s an equal chance for either of those categories,” McGuire said.
There could be less precipitation than normal though.
“There is some potential for below-normal precipitation lingering through the spring, especially as you move into western parts of Kansas,” McGuire said.
The signal for below-normal precipitation isn’t as strong in east Kansas.
Weather maps from the National Weather Service show February’s precipitation in Wichita was between 0.5 and 0.75 inches.
The city of Wichita is still in phase two of its drought response plan due to low levels at Cheney Lake, which is the city’s water source. The lake is 59.13% full, 7.52 feet below normal. While in this phase, Wichita water customers can only water their property once a week on their designated day.
Here’s a quick look at this week’s weather forecast, from the National Weather Service:
- Tuesday, March 4: A chance of rain after noon with a high of around 41 and a low of 32 degrees.
- Wednesday, March 5: Sunny with a high around 47 and a low near 28.
- Thursday, March 6: Sunny with a high of 62 and a low around 42.
- Friday, March 7: Sunny with a high of 61 and a chance of showers after midnight. Low near 32.
- Saturday, March 8: Chance of showers with a high around 54 and a low of 33.
