Sign In Register

Brownell, KS

Full City Profile · Kansas · Ness County County

2.3 /5.0
C Fair
18 Population 90/sq mi density
54°F Avg Temperature 297 sunny days/yr
143 Violent Crime/100K 906 property/100K
C
Overall
2.3 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
143 violent crimes/100K
B+
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Brownell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 297 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average53.5°F
1% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days297 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,423 ft (739 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density90/sq mi
Coordinates38.6406°N, 99.7443°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyNess County County
Nearest AirportHays Regional (HYS)
29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.35"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score10.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability46.4 / 100
Community Resilience58.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

67 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.6. Most recent: M2.5 on Aug 25, 2025.

Jun 22, 2019 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas M4.6 70 km
May 31, 2019 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas M3.5 69 km
Jun 1, 2025 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas M3.5 71 km
May 30, 1991 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas M3.5 69 km
Jun 25, 2025 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas M3.4 108 km
Sep 18, 2015 11 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas M3.4 147 km
Sep 14, 2016 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas M3.3 47 km
Jul 15, 1992 19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas M3.3 22 km
May 23, 2015 8 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas M3.3 150 km
Sep 16, 2016 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas M3.3 44 km
May 24, 2023 12 km S of Alton, Kansas M3.2 106 km
Sep 19, 2016 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas M3.2 44 km
Aug 31, 2016 9 km N of Ellis, Kansas M3.1 45 km
Jul 5, 2019 Kansas M3.1 76 km
Sep 16, 2016 8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas M3.1 44 km
Aug 11, 2019 4 km E of Catharine, Kansas M3.0 60 km
Jul 15, 2025 2 km SW of Zurich, Kansas M3.0 69 km
Apr 17, 2003 4 km WNW of Zurich, Kansas M3.0 72 km
Jan 7, 1999 5 km WNW of Liebenthal, Kansas M3.0 32 km
May 11, 2019 5 km NNW of Zurich, Kansas M3.0 75 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

744 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 179 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 18, 2013 EF4 60 km 0
May 23, 2008 EF4 58 km 0
Apr 21, 2001 EF4 85 km 1
May 10, 1985 EF4 92 km 0
Apr 30, 1972 EF4 70 km 0
Jun 27, 1951 EF4 45 km 5
May 4, 1950 EF4 87 km 0
May 16, 2017 EF3 80 km 0
May 24, 2016 EF3 58 km 0
May 24, 2016 EF3 56 km 0
May 24, 2016 EF3 91 km 0
May 24, 2016 EF3 96 km 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 95 km 0
May 23, 2008 EF3 12 km 0
Mar 28, 2007 EF3 69 km 0
Jun 9, 2005 EF3 32 km 0
Mar 27, 2004 EF3 78 km 0
Oct 16, 1998 EF3 16 km 0
May 16, 1995 EF3 63 km 0
May 16, 1991 EF3 87 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

19 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: FOUR COUNTY (122,971 ac, 2021).

Year Name Acres Distance
2021 FOUR COUNTY 122,971 78 km
2022 NESS/ELLIS COUNTY 14,699 16 km
2022 GARFIELD 8,650 79 km
2017 HODGEMAN COUNTY 8,518 56 km
1989 UNNAMED 6,328 64 km
2006 UNNAMED 5,494 64 km
1996 UNNAMED 4,972 19 km
2017 GORHAM 4,054 71 km
2006 HODGEMAN WEST 4,051 67 km
1991 UNNAMED 3,330 91 km
2006 UNNAMED 2,008 79 km
2008 GOVE EAST 1,849 57 km
1991 UNNAMED 1,760 96 km
2017 FELLHOELTER 1,664 90 km
2024 CODELL RD 1,609 67 km
2021 NORTH LAKE 1,530 21 km
1995 UNNAMED 1,417 81 km
2022 SE 226 AND SE E RD 1,146 71 km
1993 UNNAMED 1,029 74 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 30°F (-1°C) 0.4 in Coldest, Driest
February 34°F (1°C) 0.6 in
March 43°F (6°C) 1.7 in
April 52°F (11°C) 1.9 in
May 62°F (17°C) 2.9 in
June 73°F (23°C) 3.4 in Wettest
July 79°F (26°C) 3.1 in Warmest
August 77°F (25°C) 2.6 in
September 68°F (20°C) 1.9 in
October 56°F (13°C) 1.3 in
November 41°F (5°C) 0.9 in
December 33°F (0°C) 0.5 in

Brownell has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 30°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.4").

View full weather details →