Together With

Good morning, Wichita!

In honor of next weeks forecast which is… checks notes… 5 straight days of 100+ peaking at 105, we wanted to dive into the weather in Wichita a bit.

Let's get to it!

- Landon Huslig

Together with Advanced Orthopaedic Associates

There are times when you need to visit the ER.

But there are also times when there are better options, like AOA Now Orthopaedic Immediate Care from Advanced Orthopaedic Associates.

If you experience a sudden bone, joint, or muscle injury such as a sprain, strain, broken bone, sports injury, or sudden joint pain, their team can help you get the care you need without the long waits or high cost of the emergency room.

Walk-ins are welcome, and you will be seen by orthopaedic specialists who can evaluate your injury, order imaging if needed, and help coordinate follow-up care in one visit.

AOA Now is open seven days a week, making it a convenient option when injuries happen outside normal doctor’s office hours. Check out both the east or the west locations.

Interested in advertising with us?

Does Wichita really have all 4 seasons?

I’m guilty of this myself, but a lot of Wichitans love to say that we have the pleasure of experiencing all 4 seasons here unlike many other parts of the country. Sometimes all in the same day.

It's become part of the city's identity.

While Phoenix bakes year-round, Miami barely experiences winter, and Minnesota has winters that last too long, Wichitans take pride in blooming springs, hot summers, colorful falls, and at least a taste of winter.

But is that actually true? Or is it just something we gaslight ourselves into believing?

We decided to compare Wichita with cities across the country using long-term climate data to see which places experience the most balanced and distinct seasons—and whether Wichita lives up to its reputation. Official climate normals are based on 30 years of weather observations (1991–2020), making them a much better measure than simply looking at one unusually hot or cold year.

Introducing the Wichita Life Four Seasons Index

Before we started comparing cities, we had to answer one question:

What actually makes a place feel like it has four seasons?

It isn't simply how much snow we get. It isn't simply heat, although we’ll all find out next week what that is like. It isn't just what the weather calendar says.

A city with four true seasons should experience meaningful changes throughout the year.

Winter should actually feel like winter.

Spring shouldn't disappear after two weeks.

Summer should be unmistakably warm.

And Fall should arrive gradually instead of overnight.

Although we all know that weather changes in a matter of minutes in Kansas, rather than a matter of seasons.

So we built the Wichita Life Four Seasons Index (not confused with the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts). Rather than asking which city has the "best" weather, we scored how clearly each city experiences seasonal change.

This isn't a ranking of the best weather.

It's a ranking of the most seasonal weather.

Wichita By the Numbers

Here's what Wichita's climate actually looks like over a typical year.

Those numbers tell an interesting story.

Wichita averages 103 mornings below freezing, but also 65 afternoons above 90° every year. That's an unusually large seasonal swing compared with many parts of the country.

The One Number That Explains Everything

If there's one statistic that best captures "four seasons," it's annual temperature swing or the difference between a typical winter day and a typical summer day.

Consider a few examples:

That's why Wichita feels dramatically different depending on when you visit. One of the easiest ways to visualize "four seasons" is by comparing how much temperatures change throughout the year. Wichita experiences one of the largest swings of any major U.S. city.

January and July might as well be different cities.

Why Wichita Scores So Well

❄️ Winter

Winter absolutely exists in Wichita.

The city averages more than 100 freezing mornings every year, receives measurable snowfall nearly every winter, and experiences occasional ice storms and blizzards. Yet winter rarely overstays its welcome the way it can farther north.

🌸 Spring

Does spring actually exist...or does winter suddenly become summer?

Spring might be Wichita's greatest strength.

Redbuds bloom.

Bradford pears explode with flowers (you know you love the smell).

Patios fill. Parks turn green almost overnight.

Yes, spring also brings wind, allergies (number 1, number 1!), thunderstorms, and tornado season.

But it lasts long enough to enjoy before summer arrives.

☀️ Summer

Summer leaves no doubt that it's summer.

The city averages 65 days above 90° and more than a dozen triple-digit days each year. Pools, lakes, baseball games, Riverfest, and evenings outside become part of everyday life.

🍂 Fall

Fall may be Wichita's most underrated season.

Cool mornings. Comfortable afternoons. Chiefs Football.

Pumpkin patches. Changing leaves.

It's one of the longest stretches of pleasant weather all year.

Wichita vs. Other Cities

Phoenix

Phoenix has mild, sunny winters that attract thousands of seasonal visitors each year. But where is the snow?

It also has a summer that can last five months with temperatures well over 100 degrees. Spring and fall often feel like brief transitions.

By comparison, Wichita experiences a much more balanced progression through all four seasons.

Miami

Miami essentially experiences two seasons:

Wet. And dry. Snow, colorful leaves, and crisp autumn afternoons simply aren't part of the climate.

Seattle

Seattle enjoys incredible summers and relatively mild winters. But seasonal changes are much more subtle than they are in Kansas.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis may have even more dramatic seasonal changes than Wichita.

The tradeoff?

A much longer, colder winter that dominates a larger portion of the year. No thanks.

San Diego

San Diego is famous for having one of America's most pleasant climates.

The weather is incredible, but it barely changes. Not four distinct seasons.

The Hidden Advantage of Four Seasons

One thing became obvious while researching this story.

Having four seasons changes much more than the weather.

It changes the rhythm of the city.

🌸 Spring

• Botanica blooms

• Redbud-lined neighborhoods

• Patio season

• Wichita Open

☀ Summer

• Riverfest

• Wind Surge baseball

• Splash parks

• Lake weekends

• Outdoor concerts

🍂 Fall

• Pumpkin patches

• Corn mazes

• Football

• Apple orchards

• Patio weather returns

❄ Winter

• Holiday lights

• Ice skating

• Coffee shops

• Cozy weekends indoors

Every few months Wichita feels different.

The Tradeoff

Of course, having four seasons also means experiencing four kinds of weather extremes.

• Triple-digit heat

• Ice storms

• Tornado season

• Wind

• Rapid temperature swings

• Spring allergies

Sometimes it feels like all four seasons show up in the same week.

So...Does Wichita Really Have All Four Seasons?

After looking at the data, we'd say the answer is yes.

No, Wichita doesn't have the snowiest winters or the mildest summers. But few cities offer such a balanced mix of blooming springs, hot summers, colorful falls, and genuine winter weather.

Every season has its own personality. Spring brings redbuds, wind, and thunderstorms. Summer means baseball, pools, and long evenings outside. Fall delivers football, pumpkin patches, and some of the best patio weather of the year. Winter brings just enough snow and cold to remind you where you left the ice scraper.

No place has perfect weather. But if you're looking for a city where the year truly changes—where each season feels different and gives you something new to enjoy—Wichita makes a strong case as one of America's best four-season cities.

Maybe lifelong Wichitans have been right all along.

What do you want to see us go deep on in a future deep dive?

Let us know!

Together with The Podcast Room

Have you always wanted to start a podcast, but don’t know where to start?

Let’s stop you right there.

Call Troy at The Podcast Room and let the Trussell Media Studios team take care of you.

All you have to do is show up and chat. What better time than the new year to start a new habit?