The wild and crazy ride that was Kansas weather in 2018 has certainly left its mark on the record books.

So, what will 2019 bring? It’s very likely going to be an El Niño winter, we’re told, so we could see warmer weather than most winters in Kansas. Or, rather, warmer than most winters used to be back when “normal” was something that actually happened once in a while.

But what about spring? Will the wet streak that has made news through the fall continue?

It’s never an easy thing, trying to explain Kansas weather.

But the National Weather Service is planning on taking a shot at it during the 65th annual 3i Show next March.

NWS will present “Weather and Climate” on the first day of the show, March 21 at 2 p.m. The seminar is free and will be held in the “Presentation Area” on the concrete side of the Western State Bank Expo Center in Dodge City.  

Jeff Hutton, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service, will provide a review of 2018 weather and discuss the variability of weather in the High Plains. He also will provide an overview of the large-scale forecasting mechanisms driving the current weather pattern and an expected evolution of large-scale patterns.

The presentation will include factors that contribute to the complexity of forecasting weather in extended periods: weekly, monthly and seasonally. The session will conclude with an outlook for the upcoming growing season.

Hutton received a Bachelor of Science in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma in 1983 and began his professional career in weather during the same year working for a private firm in Oklahoma City. Hutton now actively works with city, county and state officials in promoting weather awareness and safety.

For more information on the National Weather Service, please visit weather.gov/ddc.

For information on more events or how to secure exhibit space at the upcoming 3i Show, visit 3ishow.com, or contact the Western Kansas Manufacturers Association office directly toll-free at 877-405-2883 or locally at 620-227-8082. WKMA’s office is located at 1700 E. Wyatt Earp in Dodge City.