Wichita set to shatter heat record set in 1918. Just how hot will it get?
Wichita is expected to break a heat record Thursday that was set in 1918, and it’s not close.
The high temperature forecast for the city March 26 is 95 degrees Fahrenheit, National Weather Service Wichita office meteorologist Chris Jakub told the Eagle, eclipsing the 1918 record of 83 degrees.
“Normally when you break records, it’s by just a few degrees,” Jakub said. “It doesn’t happen when you go that far above. But that’s just how unusually warm this pattern has been.”
It’s not expected to be very humid Thursday, Jakub continued, so the heat, dry air and wind will make conditions favorable for any grassland fires to spread and get out of control quickly.
Accuweather has a red flag warning in effect for much of South-Central Kansas, including Sedgwick County, from 1 to 9 p.m. Thursday warning of extreme risk of grassland fire danger due to the weather conditions.
The heatwave won’t last long, though. A cold front is forecast to hit the Wichita area Thursday night, bringing possible showers and thunderstorms, which are unlikely to become severe, Jakub said.
Friday’s high temperature is forecast around 58 degrees, with a gradual warming to 63 degrees Saturday and hitting the lower 80s Sunday.
Although Wichita residents will see record-breaking heat for late March, it’s still possible the region could see snowfall again before summer comes around.
“We’re not out of the woods yet. The chances are low to get snow at this time of the year, but it can still happen,” Jakub said.
For those who will be working outside Thursday, Jakub recommended taking breaks and drinking lots of water to avoid heat-related health issues. If possible, it’s a good idea to try to stay indoors or in the shade, he added.
What’s the forecast for Wichita?
Here’s what Wichita residents can expect in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service:
- Thursday: Temperatures from 45 to 95 degrees, with possible rain showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
- Friday, March 27: Temperatures from 36 to 58 degrees, with decreasing clouds throughout the day and mostly clear skies at night.
- Saturday, March 28: Temperatures from 47 to 63 degrees, with sunny skies during the day and partly cloudy skies at night.
- Sunday, March 29: Temperatures from 62 to 82 degrees, with sunny skies during the day and partly cloudy skies at night.
- Monday, March 30: Temperatures from 63 to 86 degrees, with mostly sunny skies during the day and a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms at night.
Looking out a bit further, AccuWeather’s monthly forecast calls for temperatures between 43 and 75 degrees in April.
The federal Climate Prediction Center reports the Wichita area has a 40 to 50% chance of above-normal temperatures from April through June, with a slight chance of below-normal precipitation. Sedgwick County has seen “abnormally dry” conditions recently, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
