18 November, 201112:11 p.m.
November winds are howling through Wichita today, bringing down power lines and stirring up so much dust a haze has settled over portions of the city.
The southerly winds are blowing steadily at nearly 30 miles an hour and gusting to more than 50, according to the National Weather Service. A red flag warning remains in effect until 6 p.m.
Folks were trying to maintain their sense of humor in the midst of the ferocious winds. Just after noon, the Wichita Police Department tweeted “It is windy enough today, we considered putting sails on our police cars to save gas!”
18 November, 20115:00 a.m.
The roller coaster of temperatures continues today in the Wichita area, as strong south winds help push highs into the mid-60s.
Gusts are expected to top 40 miles an hour, forecasters say, with steady winds in the 20s. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for 17 southern Kansas counties – including the Wichita metropolitan area. The warning will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Winds will remain strong overnight, gusting to more than 30 miles an hour, and intensify again on Saturday. Highs should top 70, forecasters say, with southerly winds gusting again to nearly 40 miles an hour.
But a strong cold front should reach the Wichita metro area on Sunday, sending temperatures plunging. Highs will only be in the low 40s on Sunday, forecasters say.
For more information on current conditions, go to our weather page.