Wichita, Kansas, sits in the central Great Plains, a position that subjects the region to highly volatile weather patterns. The city’s climate is characterized by significant temperature swings and a mix of precipitation types throughout the winter months. To understand the typical winter experience in south-central Kansas, it is helpful to examine the official data regarding the area’s snowfall.
Wichita’s Average Annual Snowfall
Wichita’s typical snowfall is measured using the 30-year average, a standardized climate benchmark established by the National Weather Service. Based on the 1991 to 2020 climate normals, the city receives an average annual snowfall of 12.7 inches. This figure represents the mean total accumulation over three decades, providing a reliable baseline for long-term climate expectations.
The 30-year average is the definitive metric used by climatologists to define a region’s current climate. The statistical snow season generally runs from late November through early March. Snowfall outside of this window, such as trace amounts in October or lingering events in April, contributes minimally to the overall annual total.
Total annual precipitation averages 34.31 inches, but only a small fraction of this volume falls as snow. The modest average snowfall reflects Wichita’s position in a transition zone. Temperatures frequently hover near the freezing point, often leading to mixed precipitation or rain instead of heavy snow.
Seasonal Timing and Frequency
Snowfall is concentrated in the three primary winter months: December, January, and February. February is typically the snowiest month, averaging 3.6 inches, followed by December (3.1 inches) and January (2.7 inches). These months consistently see the most frequent and heaviest snow events.
The city experiences an average of 9.2 days per year with measurable snowfall (0.1 inches or more). Roughly four of these days see an inch or more of fresh snow accumulation, indicating that most events are minor dustings. The typical first measurable snowfall arrives around December 3rd, and the last measurable event usually occurs near March 4th.
Snow events outside of the December-to-February window happen, particularly in November and March. November and March each contribute about two inches to the annual total, reinforcing their status as fringe months. The probability of a significant snowstorm in October or April is quite low.
Understanding Historical Variability
Relying solely on the 12.7-inch annual average can be misleading due to Wichita’s high degree of year-to-year inconsistency. The average is simply the midpoint between dramatically different winter seasons. This means the actual experience of a given winter may bear little resemblance to the statistical norm.
Historical records show significant extremes in seasonal totals. The winter of 1911-1912 holds the record for the greatest seasonal accumulation, totaling 39.7 inches of snow. This figure is more than triple the current 30-year average, demonstrating the potential for heavy snow years.
Conversely, some seasons have been nearly snow-free. The lowest recorded seasonal snowfall was 0.7 inches during the 1922-1923 winter. This minimal total underscores how unreliable the average can be as a predictor for a specific year.