English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Wichita, KS

Well into March, Wichita’s rainiest few months are just around the corner, but city residents could see precipitation this week.

The National Weather Service forecast shows chances of rain moving into the area after 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 with thunderstorms likely that night. That rain is the only forecast this week before a chance of snow showers arrive late Sunday, March 15.

Wichita also got rain last week, with a severe thunderstorm warning in effect Thursday night through early Friday morning.

Severe storms will be possible across much of the region for late Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night. Large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall will be the primary risks. #kswx pic.twitter.com/FUT9s1R6gp

— NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) March 9, 2026

But rain in the forecast is welcome after Wichita has experienced several years of intense drought, which led to dangerously low levels at Cheney Reservoir and permanent watering restrictions in the city.

Though Wichita is not currently experiencing drought and Cheney is above the normal level, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates Sedgwick County is “abnormally dry,” with some southeast Kansas counties experiencing a “severe drought.”

What is the outlook for drought this year in the area? Here’s what to know.

Will Wichita see another drought?

The federal Climate Prediction Center shows no signals for Wichita to experience an abnormal spring, said Mick McGuire with the NWS.

“There’s not a strong signal … for either wet or dry. When we move farther south, there’s a signal to see below-normal precipitation and normal temperatures, but not a strong signal here,” he said.

The current weather trends don’t favor a drought in the near future, either.

“Given the recent trends, I think some improvement in that near-term drought, we’ll continue to see that, and then as we move spring into summer, we’ll just have to see what kind of pattern unfolds,” McGuire said.

May and June are typically the rainiest months of the year in Wichita, McGuire said.

The month of May averages around 5 inches and June averages a little less, around 4.93 inches, according to McGuire. So no matter what is in the forecast, the area can expect more rain as we move into spring and summer.

We’re also moving into Wichita’s severe weather season.

“As we move into the spring and we start to see more active weather (and) more severe thunderstorms, it’s just a good idea for people to pay attention to the weather and check the latest forecast so they have a plan,” McGuire said.

Here’s this week’s weather forecast from the weather service:

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Wichita voters rejected a proposed 1% sales tax increase Tuesday, with 41,097 voting against the measure and 9,143 voting in favor. Voter turnout reached nearly 20%.

Wichita Forward and the Vote Yes Campaign proposed the one percent sales tax to streamline funding to first responders, homelessness initiatives and the renovation of Century II, with the possibility of lower property taxes in the future.

Wichita Forward responds

In a statement, Wichita Forward said that while the results were not what they hoped for, they respect the decision of Wichita voters.

“We believed the proposal addressed long-term infrastructure and public safety needs,” Wichita Forward Coalition leadership said. “At the same time, we understand that many voters had concerns about cost, priorities, and timing. Those perspectives are part of the civic process.”

Wichita Forward confirmed the campaign for the specific measure has ended.

“Our focus now is on continuing to work alongside community partners to support Wichita’s long-term vitality and economic strength,” the group said.

Mayor to address in State of the City

Mayor Lily Wu issued a statement thanking voters “who took the time to make their voices heard in this special election.”

“The results are clear,” Wu said. “Some assumed this proposal was something I initiated or was pushing. It was not.”

Wu said her December vote for the special election — alongside a unanimous 7–0 Council decision — “was a mistake.”

“The proposal included initiatives our community has discussed for decades. But it was big, broad, and fast. It asked for a level of trust many Wichitans were not ready to extend. And we must take that lesson seriously,” Wu said. “I’ll discuss this at the State of the City on March 8. I hope you’ll join us.”

Vote No Campaign relieved

The Vote No Campaign also said the measure moved too quickly and was too broad.

Celeste Racette, who spearheaded the Vote No Campaign, said the results were satisfying and that she was pleased to see voter turnout.

“In the beginning they united us, which is really amazing, that’s what brought us together, was how they attacked us so negatively. So here we are, representing Wichita from all different branches of the political spectrum,” Racette said.

What’s next

Those opposed to the sales tax said they remain committed to addressing the issues raised during the campaign, but plan to approach them one item at a time.

You can find full results from today’s vote here:

Copyright 2026 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Polling places across Kansas were open on Tuesday at 7 a.m. as thousands of voters came out for special elections.

Voters in Wichita are proposed by the Wichita Forward group.

Many people at the polls said they went out to vote because local questions like this one have a big impact on their every day lives.

“It’s important because it’s a tax. We already pay a lot in tax, but we have a lot of issues that need to be done too. So I feel that if people really care about what’s going on, or how their money is spent, need to get out here and tell everybody,” said Cynthia Wallace, a Wichita voter.

“It’s just important to get out and vote. Just vote. Vote your mind, vote your heart. Just do it, get out there,” said Mary Scott, another Wichita voter. “We don’t have enough people vote in these small elections, and it makes a difference.”

One voter highlighted how voting is part of every American’s civic duty.

“Now, more than ever in the country, in the state it is, we need people to get out there and support our country and get it back to the democracy it needs to be,” said Diane Fletcher, another Wichita voter.

“It’s very important for you to be heard, and to voice your feelings, your beliefs,” said Donald Bowles, another voter at the polls on Tuesday.

Polls are open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

If you haven’t voted yet and do not know where your polling place is, you can

Copyright 2026 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com

Looking for a place to dine out, grocery shop or stay in the Wichita area?

You might consider visiting businesses that passed recent health inspections.

Places that serve and sell food or offer lodging to the public are regularly inspected by the Kansas Department of Agriculture to make sure they’re clean and safe. The rules they’re expected to follow include things such as keeping bugs and mice out, handling food properly, throwing away old food, ensuring workers wash their hands, and keeping the premises in good repair so no one gets sick or hurt.

Here are 49 locations in Sedgwick County that passed food safety or lodging inspections Jan. 25-31, according to the state. Many had few or no violations.

The health checks occurred at restaurants, stores, gas stations, hotels, motels, schools, concession stands, entertainment venues, bars, food trucks and other businesses and organizations that feed or rent rooms to the public.

Inspections happen routinely but also when someone files a complaint. Inspectors return to businesses that failed recent checks to make sure they’ve fixed any problems, so some places that appear on this list may have had trouble previously.

This list was compiled on Feb. 5 using information available from the state on that date. It covers only Sedgwick County.

But you can search food and lodging inspection results anywhere in Kansas at https://foodsafety.kda.ks.gov/FoodSafety/Web/Inspection/PublicInspectionSearch.aspx.

Want to see who failed? You can find those businesses at www.kansas.com/databases.

Note: Sometimes addresses listed — especially for mobile vendors and food trucks — are not where food is actually served to the public. Contact those establishments directly or check their websites for specific service locations.

Wichita, Kansas — Well above-average temperatures will continue across central and south-central Kansas through Monday, bringing springlike conditions before a modest cooldown and increasing rain chances later in the week.

According to the National Weather Service in Wichita, Monday will be the warmest day, with afternoon highs reaching 72 to 77 degrees across much of the region. Breezy conditions are expected at times, especially during the afternoon, but no hazardous weather is anticipated.

The warmth continues into Tuesday, though temperatures will ease slightly, with highs forecast between 54 and 67 degrees. A chance for rain showers develops late Tuesday, primarily during the evening and overnight hours, as a weak system moves through the Plains.

By Wednesday, conditions turn drier again, with highs ranging from 52 to 58 degrees. Additional periodic rain chances return Thursday, with about a 20 percent chance, increasing further into Friday, when rain probabilities climb into the 30 to 50 percent range. High temperatures late week are expected to range from the low 50s to near 60 degrees.

Travel conditions along major corridors such as Interstate 35 through Wichita, Interstate 135, U.S. Highway 54, and U.S. Highway 50 are expected to remain favorable through Monday, with dry roads and good visibility. Wet road conditions may develop at times Tuesday night and again late week if showers materialize.

Overnight lows throughout the period will remain mild for February, generally ranging from the upper 30s to lower 50s Monday night, then cooling into the 30s and lower 40s midweek.

The forecast is especially relevant for commuters, outdoor workers, and students, as the extended stretch of mild weather may feel more like early spring than winter.

Residents are encouraged to monitor updates for timing of rain chances later in the week, particularly if planning travel along I-35 or I-135 during nighttime hours.