By Meteorologist Mark Larson Storm Team 12

12:17 p.m. CST, February 22, 2012
This afternoon's highs will soar into the upper-60s to mid-70s, which is 20 to 25 degrees above average. Westerly winds will get gusty by midday and that's a direction sure to cause the mercury to climb quickly. Record highs are not likely because most are in the upper-70s and low-80s and we'll probably not to get that hot. Wichita's record high is 87 from 1996. We will enjoy lots of sunshine but those winds will gust over 20 to 30 mph at times.

A dry cold front will sweep through our area late Wednesday night into Thursday morning switching winds back to the north and ushering in cooler temperatures for the rest of the week.

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Wichita Area Forecast:

This afternoon:  Mostly sunny, becoming breezy and much warmer.  Wind: W 15-25; gusty.  High: 69.

Tonight:  Mostly clear to partly cloudy and mild.  Wind: W/SW 10-20.  Low: 39.

Tomorrow:  Partly to mostly cloudy, windy and cooler.  Wind: SW/N 20-30; gusty.  High: 53.

Tomorrow night:  Decreasing clouds; colder.  Wind: N/NW 10-15.  Low: 28.

Fri:  High:  48   Mostly sunny but even cooler.
Sat:  High:  55    Low:  27   Mostly sunny, breezy and mild.
Sun:  High:  58    Low:  38   Increasing clouds; windy; late night rain possible.
Mon:  High:  44    Low:  33   Becoming partly cloudy, windy and colder.
Tue:  High:  37    Low:  27   Mostly cloudy and cold; rains showers possible.
Wed:  High:  42   Low:  23    Partly cloudy; still chilly.

Rodney's Wednesday afternoon forecast