Smith Center, KS Weather

Key Messages

- Winds this afternoon could gust up to 35 to 45 MPH out of the south in some areas.

- Rain and storm chances increase tonight through Monday. The highest chances will be Sunday and Monday (80% to near 100% in some areas).

- A cold front will push into the area on Saturday. Temperatures will be on a cooling trend through Monday (highs in the 50s and 60s).

Discussion

Issued at 201 PM CDT Fri Oct 23 2026

An upper level ridge extends from Texas to the Upper Midwest with an upper trough just behind the upper ridge. Winds across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas are gusting out of the south in response to a strengthening surface trough across western Nebraska and eastern Colorado. Wind gusts up to 35 to 45 MPH are expected this afternoon across portions of the area. Temperatures this afternoon are expected to warm up into the mid 70s to lower 80s. Winds will weaken some this evening (around 15 to 20 MPH sustained) and moreso late tonight (around 5 to 10 MPH) but will remain out of the south. Low temperatures tonight will be in the low 50s to low 60s. Light rain showers may develop across portions of the area this afternoon in response to a near shortwave trough, but the main development of rain and possibly isolated thunderstorms is not expected until later this evening into tonight.

A cold front will begin to push into the area on Saturday as the upper trough begins to move over the region. Rain and storm chances will increase on Saturday (up to around 70% in some areas) near and behind the front. High temperatures on Saturday are somewhat uncertain due to strength and timing of the front but generally expect temperatures to range from the low 60s to upper 70s. Low temperatures Saturday night are expected to range from the mid/upper 30s to mid 50s. The southern portion of the previously mentioned upper trough will still be to the west and southwest of the area (just beginning to move over Nebraska and Kansas) on Sunday which will keep upper lift over the area. This will result in more rain (and possibly isolated storm) chances on Sunday and Sunday night (chances ranging from around 40% to near 100%). Temperature uncertainty will continue into Sunday but generally expect high temperatures to range from the mid 50s to mid 70s. The upper trough is expected to be over the region on Monday allowing for rain and storm chances to continue (around 60% to 90%). High temperatures on Monday will mainly be in the 50s and 60s. Low temperatures Monday night are expected to range from the low 30s to low 50s.

High temperatures in the 50s and 60s will continue for Tuesday with mostly dry conditions. There may be a slight warm up for Wednesday (highs in the 60s and 70s) with temperatures cooling again for Thursday (highs in the 50s and 60s). Low temperatures Tuesday night and Wednesday night will generally be in the mid 30s to low 50s. Various low-end (15% to near 30%) precipitation chances will be present Tuesday night through Thursday night.

Aviation

Issued at 1233 PM CDT Fri Oct 23 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

Gusty south winds are expected through this afternoon. Winds will decrease a little this evening and become more southeasterly. Wind shear is expected beginning around 00z to 01z and continuing until 14z. Winds will decrease even more late tonight with rain showers expected. Low ceilings are expected as well as a more westerly wind shift beginning around 14z. Northerly winds are expected by 18z Saturday.

Gid Watches

NE...None. KS...None.