Weather in Wichita, Kansas
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 11:28 AM
- Moonset
- 2:02 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Wichita at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 2 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Wichita's peak heat with temperatures averaging 82°F, while January delivers the year's coldest conditions at 33°F. May produces the heaviest rainfall at 5.2 inches, contrasting sharply with January's meager 0.8 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33° | 0.8″ | 2 |
| February | 38° | 1.2″ | 3 |
| March | 47° | 2.3″ | 4 |
| April | 57° | 3.1″ | 5 |
| May | 67° | 5.2″ | 7 |
| June | 77° | 4.9″ | 7 |
| July | 82° | 4.0″ | 6 |
| August | 80° | 4.3″ | 5 |
| September | 72° | 3.0″ | 4 |
| October | 59° | 2.9″ | 4 |
| November | 46° | 1.4″ | 3 |
| December | 36° | 1.2″ | 2 |
Regional context
Wichita falls within the humid subtropical climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Overland Park, KS, Kansas City, KS, Topeka, KS, Olathe, KS, Lawrence, KS.
Naturalist notes
Red-winged blackbirds return to Wichita's wetlands and marshy areas in late February, with males arriving first to establish territories before females appear in early March.
Eastern redbud trees begin flowering in mid-March, their purple-pink blossoms appearing before the leaves emerge along creek beds and woodland edges throughout the area.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Wichita?
- Mid-April typically marks Wichita's last spring frost, while the first fall frost usually arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Wichita?
- May stands as the wettest month, delivering about 5.2 inches of rain on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 34 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Wichita?
- July typically registers as the warmest month, with temperatures averaging about 82°F.
- What is the coldest month in Wichita?
- January typically ranks as the coldest month, with temperatures averaging about 33°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Wichita?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-April, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Wichita get?
- Wichita experiences about 52 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Wichita?
- Wichita's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool using the city ZIP code provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Wichita, Kansas experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. Temperatures hover near 33°F in January and average 82°F in July, creating a 48°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 34 inches, distributed across roughly 52 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography shapes Wichita's weather patterns through its latitude of 37.7°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what plants thrive, when frost threatens, and the daily weather patterns residents experience.