| Fire impact predictions only available from March 1, 2025 through May 1, 2025. Forecasts are updated daily at 1:00 p.m. Central Time. | View as: Map | Table |
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| Forecast Discussion | Extended Forecast |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, March 26: A temperature inversion will produce very low mixing heights until 9 a.m. However, as surface temperatures warm, mixing heights will increase to moderate levels through the late morning and afternoon hours. As a surface high passes to the east early in the day, light to moderate east-southeasterly winds will carry smoke from potential fires in the southwestern Flint Hills directly into Wichita. In the afternoon, as a low pressure system develops to the northwest, winds will shift to southerly in eastern Kansas. These winds will transport smoke from potential fires in the far northern Flint Hills into Lincoln, Nebraska. Furthermore, after 6 p.m. and through the evening, very low mixing heights will confine pollutants near the surface, increasing smoke impacts in affected regions.
Thursday, March 27: Mixing heights will remain low through the early morning hours as an upper-level ridge of high pressure moves over Kansas. Ventilation will improve slightly by 10 a.m., but mixing heights will remain at low to moderate levels through midday and the afternoon. At the surface, moderate and gusty south-southwesterly winds will carry smoke from potential fires in the northeastern, central, and southern Flint Hills into Topeka. Additionally, smoke from potential fires in the southeastern Flint Hills will be transported into Kansas City. Furthermore, smoke from potential fires in southern Sedgwick County will impact Wichita. After 7 p.m. and through the overnight hours, a weak near-surface inversion will yield low mixing heights, confining smoke from potential fires to the lower levels of the atmosphere. |
This forecast is for air quality impacts only.
Mar 28, 2025: Worsening conditions for burning are expected. Mar 29, 2025: Worsening conditions for burning are expected. Mar 30, 2025: Improving conditions for burning are expected. Mar 31, 2025: Improving conditions for burning are expected. |