Timing of my 2026 Wichita KS "city meet" - please vote!

[A.J. Bertin]

I know it's only been two weeks since I hosted my Mobile city meet, but I am already starting to think about my 2026 meet which will be held in Wichita, Kansas.  I've hosted five of these city meets now, and all of them have been in either late April or early May which is a timeframe I've really enjoyed.

However, I'm also mindful of the fact that the April/May timeframe is tends to be a very active period in terms of severe weather across the nation each year.  Certain areas are more prone to it than others, and I think about the fact that Kansas is one of those states that can get extremely strong tornadoes in the spring.  On the one hand, I sort of want to stick with my same general timeframe because any area can be subject to severe weather and I shouldn't let the remote possibility of tornadoes impacting Wichita on the day of my meet cause me to move it to a different time of the year.  But on the other hand, if it makes sense for me to choose a different time of year for 2026 only, maybe that's not a bad idea because we're talking Kansas during peak tornado season.

I'd like to ask for everyone's thoughts on which time of the year I should host my 2026 Wichita meet.  Please vote in the poll!

[Rothman]

Why not summer?

[oscar]

I think about the fact that Kansas is one of those states that can get extremely strong tornadoes in the spring.  On the one hand, I sort of want to stick with my same general timeframe because any area can be subject to severe weather and I shouldn't let the remote possibility of tornadoes impacting Wichita on the day of my meet cause me to move it to a different time of the year.

As Scott5114 noted, re: road trips across southern Kansas some of us were considering a few years ago, Greensburg KS (about 100 miles due west from Wichita) was wiped out by an EF5 tornado in early May 2007. 

June storms in that region can be nasty as well, "but less likely to try to kill you".

[A.J. Bertin]

Why not summer?

Good question.  My understanding is that summer on the Great Plains can get very hot, and with other activities that tend to keep my summers busy each year, I'd prefer to free up those months.

[paulthemapguy]

Tornadoes are extremely localized. Just because there was a tornado warning after the Florence meet doesn't mean we should consider that a pattern for meets held anywhere in the country during the spring months. The probability that the specific location of Wichita gets a tornado warning on a given day at any time of the year is still very, very low. I would be more concerned about the general probability of a rainout. That would be much, much more likely to ruin a meet.

And I am a big weather geek, as you know....for what it's worth.

[kphoger]

Rain is much more common in May here than in April, and likewise strong storms.  Average precipitation approaches five inches in May, compared to three inches in April.

Last night, we had a lot of limbs come down in town, and my next door neighbor's whole grill blew over.

[A.J. Bertin]

Tornadoes are extremely localized. Just because there was a tornado warning after the Florence meet doesn't mean we should consider that a pattern for meets held anywhere in the country during the spring months. The probability that the specific location of Wichita gets a tornado warning on a given day at any time of the year is still very, very low. I would be more concerned about the general probability of a rainout. That would be much, much more likely to ruin a meet.

And I am a big weather geek, as you know....for what it's worth.

Thanks, Paul.  You make some good points here.  Have you voted in the poll?  If so, I assume your vote was for me to stick with my usual timeframe of late April or early May.  If you haven't voted, please do so! 

[A.J. Bertin]

Rain is much more common in May here than in April, and likewise strong storms.  Average precipitation approaches five inches in May, compared to three inches in April.

Last night, we had a lot of limbs come down in town, and my next door neighbor's whole grill blew over.

Thank you for sharing your Wichita perspective!  Have you voted in the poll?  If so, may I ask how you voted?  If you haven't voted yet, please do so! 

[hbelkins]

Come for the city meet, stay for the storm chase!

[CoreySamson]

I would be interested in an early spring meet timing. Never been to a meet before, but this would be a good opportunity for my first. I probably would not be available for a fall meet, but there's a chance.

[vdeane]

Come for the city meet, stay for the storm chase!

Alternatively: Plan on a Wichita City Meet, end up with an Oz Road Meet.

[A.J. Bertin]

I would be interested in an early spring meet timing. Never been to a meet before, but this would be a good opportunity for my first. I probably would not be available for a fall meet, but there's a chance.

You would be more than welcome to join us!  However, one thing to keep in mind is that my "city meets" are not traditional road meets.  I do not prepare an itinerary.  I organize a lunch and a dinner and encourage everyone to go off and explore on their own between lunch and dinner.  And then when we reconvene for dinner, everyone shares what they did throughout the afternoon.  My "city meets" are not everyone's cup of tea, but some people have really come to enjoy them which is what prompts me to host them each year (a different city each year)>

[oscar]

You would be more than welcome to join us!  However, one thing to keep in mind is that my "city meets" are not traditional road meets.  I do not prepare an itinerary.  I organize a lunch and a dinner and encourage everyone to go off and explore on their own between lunch and dinner.  And then when we reconvene for dinner, everyone shares what they did throughout the afternoon. 

I'd add that your afternoon adventure doesn't have to be on your own. You can discuss at lunch whether you can join someone else's adventure, or others can join yours.

Also, I don't know if I'll be interested in the Wichita meet, especially if in the spring. Some of us chase storms; I try to give them a very, very wide berth. I live, and grew up, in places with low weather risks, and in particular have almost no experience with tornadoes or hurricanes.

[A.J. Bertin]

You would be more than welcome to join us!  However, one thing to keep in mind is that my "city meets" are not traditional road meets.  I do not prepare an itinerary.  I organize a lunch and a dinner and encourage everyone to go off and explore on their own between lunch and dinner.  And then when we reconvene for dinner, everyone shares what they did throughout the afternoon. 

I'd add that your afternoon adventure doesn't have to be on your own. You can discuss at lunch whether you can join someone else's adventure, or others can join yours.

Thanks for adding that clarification, Oscar.  You're absolutely right!

[kphoger]

Rain is much more common in May here than in April, and likewise strong storms.  Average precipitation approaches five inches in May, compared to three inches in April.

Last night, we had a lot of limbs come down in town, and my next door neighbor's whole grill blew over.

Thank you for sharing your Wichita perspective!  Have you voted in the poll?  If so, may I ask how you voted?  If you haven't voted yet, please do so! 

No, because it makes no difference to me either way.  Considering I live here, the time of year doesn't matter.

[SSOWorld]

Come for the city meet, stay for the storm chase!

or
Come for the city meet, stay because your car got thrown away.

[SSOWorld]

It's not just tornadoes - Hail is a problem in the plains - and that extends to any day of the year.  I drove through there on the way to the Texas Triangle drive I did in 2024 (early April), and fast-tracked down in 2 days to evade that. (only for it to reach DFW anyway)

[kphoger]

Hail is a problem in the plains - and that extends to any day of the year.

Ever seen hail in January here? 

[SSOWorld]

Hail is a problem in the plains - and that extends to any day of the year.

Ever seen hail in January here? 

really small.  Oh wait that's sleet... or is it graupel?  Ah, they're ice pellets... no it's unknown precipitation.