Wichita is located on the Arkansas River in the Central Great Plains. The collision of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico with cold air from the Arctic produces a wide range of weather in the Wichita area. Summers, which are generally warm and humid, can often be hot and dry; winters are mild, though cold periods are not infrequent. Temperature variations are extreme, reaching above 110 degrees in the summer and below negative 20 degrees in the winter. Spring and summer thunderstorms can be severe, accompanied by heavy rain, hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Protection against floods is provided by the Wichita-Valley Center Flood Control Project.
Area: 138.93 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 1,300 feet above sea level
Average Temperatures: January, 30.2° F; July, 81.0° F; annual average, 56.4° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 14.48 inches of rain, 15.9 inches of snow