Red Flag Warning 7, NWS Wichita, KS

Allen County, KS, Barton County, KS, Butler County, KS, Chase County, KS, Chautauqua County, KS, Cowley County, KS, Elk County, KS, Ellsworth County, KS, Greenwood County, KS, Harper County, KS, Harvey County, KS, Kingman County, KS, Labette County, KS, Lincoln County, KS, Marion County, KS, McPherson County, KS, Montgomery County, KS, Neosho County, KS, Reno County, KS, Rice County, KS, Russell County, KS, Saline County, KS, Sedgwick County, KS, Sumner County, KS, Wilson County, KS, Woodson County, KS

488 
WWUS83 KICT 180825
RFWICT

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wichita KS
225 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

KSZ071-072-095-096-099-100-182330-
/O.EXA.KICT.FW.W.0007.251218T1600Z-251219T0000Z/
Woodson-Allen-Wilson-Neosho-Montgomery-Labette-
225 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM CST
THIS EVENING FOR EXTREME GRASSLAND FIRE DANGER FOR SOUTHEAST
KANSAS...

The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a Red Flag
Warning for extreme grassland fire danger, which is in effect
from 10 AM this morning to 6 PM CST this evening.

* Extreme Grassland Fire Danger...

* Winds...Northwest 25 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* Relative Humidity...Between 20 and 30 percent

* Impacts...Any fires that start will spread rapidly and be 
  difficult to control.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures
can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this fire weather product.

&&

$$

KSZ032-033-047>053-067>070-082-083-091>094-098-182330-
/O.CON.KICT.FW.W.0007.251218T1600Z-251219T0000Z/
Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-
Chase-Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Kingman-Sedgwick-Harper-Sumner-
Cowley-Elk-Chautauqua-
225 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO
6 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR EXTREME GRASSLAND FIRE DANGER...

* Extreme Grassland Fire Danger...

* Winds...Northwest 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.

* Relative Humidity...Between 20 and 30 percent.

* Impacts...Any fires that start will spread rapidly and be 
  difficult to control.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this fire weather product.

&&

$$

506 
WWUS83 KICT 182159
RFWICT

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wichita KS
359 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-190000-
/O.CON.KICT.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-251219T0000Z/
Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-
Chase-Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-
Harper-Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-
Labette-
359 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING
FOR EXTREME GRASSLAND FIRE DANGER...

* Extreme Grassland Fire Danger...

* Winds...Northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

* Relative Humidity...As low as 22 percent.

* Impacts...Any fires that start will spread rapidly and be 
  difficult to control.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the
field of this fire weather product.

&&

$$

102 
WWUS83 KICT 182345
RFWICT

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Wichita KS
545 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-190045-
/O.EXP.KICT.FW.W.0007.000000T0000Z-251219T0000Z/
Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-
Chase-Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-
Harper-Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-
Labette-
545 PM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 6 PM CST THIS EVENING...

Wind speeds continue to decrease as humidity values continue to
increase. As a result, the Red Flag Warning will be allowed to
expire at 6 PM.

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wichita KS
1136 AM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Patchy fog will continue this morning across southeast KS

- Strong winds areawide early Thursday through Thursday
  afternoon with High Wind Watch and Wind Advisory in effect;
  very high to extreme fire danger as well

- Overall dry conditions and above normal temperatures will
  continue through the forecast period.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 321 AM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

Currently, weak troughing extends across the Central and Southern
Plains with an associated weak surface low situated over the
Southern High Plains. These features will move east this morning and
weak ridging will build in ahead of the next trough for this
afternoon. This next system that will impact our area is currently
moving on shore from the Pacific early this morning. Light and
variable winds overnight and early this morning will turn southerly
and increase slightly this afternoon with a few gusts reaching to
around 30 mph. Afternoon high temperatures will continue to run
slightly above normal today with highs ranging in the middle to
upper 50s under gradually increasing clouds.

A potent low pressure system will move from the Northern Rockies
into the Northern Plains through the day today and will drag a
frontal boundary across the area later tonight and into Thursday.
The newest model guidance does keep meaningful precipitation to our
north and east with this system, but trends are bringing the
potential for some light showers or sprinkles to central and eastern
Kansas later tonight/early Thursday morning with POPs in the 15-20%
range. It is unlikely that this amount to much, maybe just a few
hundredths for those lucky enough to see some moisture.
Slightly cooler, near normal temperatures are expected on
Thursday behind the frontal boundary with highs reaching into
the upper 40s to around 50 degrees. The main impact from this
potent system will result from a tightening pressure gradient
behind the boundary on Thursday. This will lead to gusty
northwesterly winds with sustained winds between 30-35 mph and
gusts approaching 50 mph. The strongest winds will impact
central Kansas where a High Wind Watch is in effect. A Wind
Advisory has been issued for the rest of the forecast area for
late Thursday morning through Thursday afternoon. These winds
combined with low humidity and the overall dry pattern we've
seen the past month will lead to elevated fire weather concerns
on Thursday.

For Friday and Saturday, upper level flow will become zonal allowing
temperatures to warm into the upper 50s and lower 60s each afternoon
under partly cloudy skies. Ahead of the next system, winds will turn
southerly across the area and we'll see gusty winds again on Friday
afternoon as the surface gradient tightens. The next quick hitting,
weak system will pass through the Canadian Prairies and the Northern
Plains on Saturday dragging an associated cold front through our
area on Saturday night. This front will act to moderate our warming
trend, bringing temperatures closer to normal for this time of year.
Highs on Sunday will top out in the upper 40s to lower 50s. Then
temperatures will once again begin rebounding to above normal as
strong ridging builds in for next week. Highs on Monday look to
reach into the 50s with highs Tuesday potentially sneaking into the
lower 60s.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1134 AM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

Winds will increase tonight as a cold front pushes southward
across the region. Low clouds over eastern Oklahoma will spread
northward and impact CNU TAF site from the late afternoon and
evening hours with possible IFR cigs. Northwest winds will
increase behind the frontal passage late tonight and really ramp
up during the mid morning hours over central Kansas. Wind gusts
over 45kts from the northwest will be possible after 15z across
central Kansas.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 155 PM CST Tue Dec 16 2025

The threat for very high to extreme fire danger is increasing for
Thursday. A strong cold front will move across the area Thursday
morning shifting winds from the northwest. Boundary layer mixing
heights are forecast to approach 700mb. The strong low-level wind
field is comprised of mean boundary layer winds near 40-50 mph,
with the strongest across central KS. This translates to
northwest winds sustained 30-40 mph with gusts near 55 mph. In
addition, the post-frontal airmass will be very dry with surface
relative humidity in the 20-30 percent range. Finally, fully
cured fuels will support rapid fire spread. As a result,
widespread extreme fire danger is forecast for areas generally
within and northwest of the Flint Hills. Fire danger concerns
will decrease near/after sunset as wind speeds rapidly decrease
throughout Thursday evening to 10-15 mph. A Fire Weather Watch
is in effect from 10 AM through 6 PM Thursday for areas within
and northwest of the Flint Hills.

Another day of fire weather concerns are possible Friday afternoon
as southerly winds increase to 15-25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
Afternoon relative humidity values will fall into the 20-30 percent
range once again. The overlap of the winds and humidity produce very
high fire danger during the afternoon for areas within and northwest
of the Flint Hills.

&&

.ICT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Watch from Thursday morning through Thursday
afternoon for KSZ032-033-047-048-050.
Fire Weather Watch from Thursday morning through Thursday
afternoon for KSZ032-033-047>053-067>070-082-083-091>094-098.
Wind Advisory from 9 AM to 6 PM CST Thursday for KSZ049-
051>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100.

&&

DISCUSSION...AMD
AVIATION...CDJ
FIRE WEATHER...BRF

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wichita KS
954 AM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-181600-
Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase-
Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-Harper-
Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-Labette-
954 AM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas,
South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday

Very strong and gusty northwest winds are expected Thursday, with
gusts over 50 mph possible. A High Wind Watch for central Kansas
and a Wind Advisory for south-central, and southeastern Kansas are
in effect from 9 AM through 6 PM Thursday. The very strong northwest
winds will also create areas of blowing dust and reduced
visibilities, especially across central Kansas.

The strong winds and low relative humidity will support very high
to extreme grassland fire danger from late Thursday morning through
Thursday afternoon. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect from 10 AM
through 6 PM Thursday for areas within and northwest of the Flint
Hills.

Then for Friday, gusty winds shift to southerly, leading to
another afternoon of very high grassland fire danger.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated today or tonight.

&&

For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=ict