Weather in Wichita

Check out the latest weather information for Wichita. Here you will find up-to-date weather reports, forecasts, and convenient charts to help you plan your day.

The climate in Wichita can be characterised as continental, with four distinct seasons. This means the city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Travellers should be prepared for a noticeable difference in weather depending on the time of their visit.

Wichita experiences hot summers and cold winters. The summer months, especially July and August, bring high temperatures, averaging around 27-28°C, with highs often exceeding 30°C. Winters, by contrast, are quite cool, with average temperatures in January and February around 1-3°C, and minimum temperatures dropping below freezing. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with more moderate and comfortable temperatures.

Regarding precipitation, levels in Wichita are generally not high throughout most of the year, indicating a relatively dry climate. A slight increase in rainfall and the number of rainy days is usually observed in May. During the rest of the year, precipitation remains quite low, making the weather predictable in terms of rain.

Wichita has a climate with clearly defined seasons and a significant annual temperature range. The coldest month is typically January, when the average air temperature is around 1.9°C, and average nightly lows drop to -3.4°C. Conversely, the hottest month is July, with an average temperature of 27.7°C and average daily highs reaching 33.1°C. August is also very warm, with averages close to those of July. Thus, the annual temperature progression demonstrates a classic continental climate pattern with cold winters and hot summers.

The summer months in Wichita – June, July, and August – are characterised by consistently hot weather. Average maximum temperatures during this period regularly exceed 30-31°C, and in July can rise even higher. Nights bring some relief but remain quite warm: average minimum temperatures range from 20.5°C - 22.3°C. Daily temperature fluctuations in summer are significant; the difference between the daytime heat and the nighttime cool is often around 10-11 degrees Celsius, which is worth considering when planning activities.

Winter in Wichita is cool, with periodic cold spells. December, January, and February are the coldest months. In January and February, average minimum temperatures consistently stay below freezing (around -3.4°C and -2.7°C respectively), and even in December, night temperatures approach zero (-0.2°C). During the day, winter air temperatures are mostly positive, averaging from 7°C to 10°C, but colder periods are possible. As in other seasons, noticeable daily temperature variations occur in winter, reaching 10 degrees or more, which requires appropriate layered clothing.

In the city of Wichita, there is noticeable seasonality in precipitation. The highest amount of rainfall and days with precipitation occurs in May, when an average of 6 mm falls and about 14 days with precipitation are recorded. This makes May the wettest month of the year. In contrast, the driest months in terms of rainfall are January, February, and December, with a figure of just 1 mm. December is also distinguished by the fewest number of days with precipitation – averaging only 4.

The peak in precipitation is clearly expressed in late spring, especially in May. In the summer months, such as June and July, the amount of precipitation decreases (3 mm and 2 mm respectively) compared to the May peak, however, there are still quite a few days with precipitation – about 10 in each of these months. In autumn, rainfall and wet days generally decrease compared to the peak in May, although October (3 mm of precipitation, 7 wet days) can be slightly wetter than September (2 mm, 6 days) before a drier November (2 mm, 5 days). In winter, from December to February, with average minimum temperatures dropping below freezing (from -0.2°C to -3.4°C), precipitation is likely to fall as snow or sleet, although the total amount is small.

Overall, Wichita is not characterised by heavy, prolonged rainfall. Even in the wettest month, May, the amount of precipitation remains relatively low. The frequency of precipitation is highest in late spring and early summer, while winter is the driest period with rare precipitation, predominantly in the form of snow.

When packing your suitcase for a trip to Wichita, it is worth considering the noticeable seasonal temperature fluctuations and possible precipitation. In winter (December to February), it is quite cool here, with the average temperature hovering around 1.9°C - 5.0°C, and night frosts are not uncommon, so you will need a warm jacket, jumpers, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Early spring (March) and late autumn (November) weather also requires warm clothing. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes will be your best companion for exploring the city, as even in months with low rainfall (1-3 mm), there are a few wet days.

From April to October, Wichita becomes significantly warmer. Summer (June-August) is hot, with average temperatures of 26-27°C and daily highs often exceeding 30°C. For this time of year, light, breathable clothing is ideal: t-shirts, shorts, sundresses. Be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. In spring and autumn, the weather can be changeable, so the principle of layering your clothes will be very useful – a light jacket or jumper will come in handy for cool evenings or days with sharp temperature changes. Given the location on the plains, a windbreaker would also be useful, especially in the off-season. Although the total amount of precipitation is small, rains happen in all seasons, especially in May when there can be up to 14 wet days, so a compact umbrella or a light raincoat will not be out of place in your luggage.