Wichita braces for extreme cold & snow. See latest closures, cancellations and more

The Wichita area is bracing for extremely cold weather this weekend, complete with negative wind chills and the possibility of 5 to 10 inches of snow.

A cold weather advisory is in effect for the area, with a winter storm warning stretching through Sunday, Jan. 25. Friday morning’s forecast from the National Weather Service shows snow in Wichita beginning mainly after 3 p.m.

City and Sedgwick County officials have encouraged residents to stay inside and avoid travel, as the snow could lead to hazardous road conditions. In response, several businesses have announced closures and some events have been rescheduled or canceled.

Here’s an updated list on closures and hours changes happening across the Wichita area this weekend. If you know of more we should add, email lsmith@wichitaeagle.com. This list will be updated.

• Ascension Via Christi Immediate Care: (3311 E. Murdock St.) Open modified hours Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expected to be open normal business hours Friday and Sunday.
• Sedgwick County Zoo: Closed Friday through Sunday. Expected to return to normal business hours Monday, Jan. 26.
• Wichita Flea Market: Canceled this week, will return next weekend at the Kansas Star Casino.
• Great Plains Nature Center: Closed Saturday and Sunday. Rescheduling its Kansas Day event to Saturday, Feb. 7.
• Botanica: Closed Friday through Sunday.
• Old Cowtown Museum: Closed Saturday.
• OJ Watson Park; Closed Saturday and Sunday.
• Riverside Tennis Center: Closed Friday through Sunday.
• The Wichita Parks and Recreation Snow Globe event has been rescheduled to Saturday, Jan. 31.
• Read ICT Book Swap scheduled for Saturday is rescheduled to Jan. 31 from 3 to 4 p.m. at Evergreen Library.
• The Great Plains Transportation Museum: Closed Saturday, January 24.
• Wichita Public Schools: all Saturday and Sunday activities have been canceled.
• Kansas Humane Society: Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
• The Museum of World Treasures: Closed Saturday and Sunday
• Rose Hill public schools: Closed Monday
• Wichita public schools: Closed Monday

Additionally, all city golf courses will be closed Saturday through Sunday. The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson has also announced it will be closed Saturday and is canceling all events for the day.

This story was originally published January 23, 2026 at 6:54 AM.

Lindsay Smith

The Wichita Eagle

Lindsay Smith is a suburban news reporter for the Wichita Eagle, covering the communities of Andover, Bel Aire, Derby, Haysville and Kechi. She has been on The Eagle staff since 2022 and was the service journalism reporter for three years. She has a degree in communications with an emphasis in journalism from Wichita State, where she was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Sunflower, for two years. You can reach her via email at lsmith@wichitaeagle.com.