Weather & Climate in Alta Vista, KS

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Alta Vista experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 302 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 37.3 inches. The area receives 18.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,455 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	53.8°F
	0% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-2°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,455 ft (443 m)
Area	0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density	1,383/sq mi
Coordinates	38.8629°N, 96.4888°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Morris County County
Nearest Airport	Manhattan Regional (MHK) 22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.3"

2% below US avg

Snowfall 18.2"

Wettest Month (Jun) 5.24"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	27.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	79.3 / 100
Community Resilience	60.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

81 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Sep 16, 2019	15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas	M3.8	48 km	5 km
May 15, 2025	5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas	M3.5	45 km	5 km
Oct 10, 2024	6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas	M3.5	47 km	10 km
Mar 12, 2020	6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas	M3.5	50 km	5 km
Mar 14, 2021	3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas	M3.5	144 km	5 km
Mar 14, 2021	5 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas	M3.5	142 km	5 km
Mar 14, 2021	3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas	M3.4	144 km	5 km
Aug 2, 2025	6 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas	M3.4	93 km	5 km
Mar 24, 2020	8 km NNE of Hope, Kansas	M3.3	50 km	5 km
Apr 6, 2023	6 km N of Bennington, Kansas	M3.3	98 km	5 km
Aug 3, 2025	7 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas	M3.3	92 km	5 km
Aug 4, 2025	5 km E of Assaria, Kansas	M3.3	93 km	10 km
Mar 15, 2021	4 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas	M3.2	143 km	5 km
May 8, 2021	2 km E of Hope, Kansas	M3.2	52 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2023	13 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas	M3.2	58 km	5 km
Jul 30, 2019	5 km NNE of Kipp, Kansas	M3.2	81 km	5 km
Sep 16, 2019	11 km E of Marion, Kansas	M3.2	66 km	5 km
May 8, 2021	4 km ENE of Hope, Kansas	M3.2	50 km	4 km
Jul 4, 2020	5 km W of Kipp, Kansas	M3.1	89 km	5 km
Jul 30, 2019	2 km ENE of New Cambria, Kansas	M3.1	86 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

602 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 95 fatalities, 1,247 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 8, 1966	EF5	50 km	21.1 mi	16
May 20, 1957	EF5	97 km	69.4 mi	44
May 28, 2019	EF4	97 km	29.1 mi	0
May 25, 2016	EF4	83 km	25.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 2008	EF4	35 km	8.6 mi	0
Jun 8, 1974	EF4	55 km	37.5 mi	6
Aug 6, 1962	EF4	95 km	11.0 mi	0
May 19, 1960	EF4	58 km	27.5 mi	1
May 19, 1960	EF4	35 km	20.6 mi	0
Apr 30, 2024	EF3	59 km	2.2 mi	1
Oct 6, 2016	EF3	86 km	6.5 mi	0
May 28, 2013	EF3	95 km	4.4 mi	0
May 21, 2011	EF3	58 km	10.1 mi	1
Jun 11, 2008	EF3	54 km	15.3 mi	1
May 8, 2003	EF3	71 km	25.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1985	EF3	10 km	2.0 mi	0
May 6, 1983	EF3	54 km	19.0 mi	1
May 31, 1978	EF3	52 km	37.0 mi	3
May 4, 1977	EF3	97 km	31.6 mi	0
Sep 25, 1973	EF3	97 km	69.9 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RD 80 (63,061 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	RD 80	63,061	78 km
1998	ANNUAL BUR	60,039	45 km
2002	UNNAMED	26,655	77 km
2000	WEST SIDE MVD	18,701	43 km
2016	BURLEY HILL	16,381	22 km
2023	WAGSTAFF	16,111	16 km
1988	UNNAMED	15,512	27 km
2016	UNNAMED	15,100	71 km
1996	UNNAMED	14,832	59 km
2010	RANGE 51	13,760	40 km
1991	UNNAMED	12,063	61 km
2002	WEST UNIT	11,187	80 km
1992	UNNAMED	11,123	75 km
1996	UNNAMED	10,911	94 km
2001	TALLGRASS 01	10,737	47 km
1996	UNNAMED	9,081	60 km
2009	MA-KILO	8,935	52 km
2024	AXELTON-BURKLUND	8,831	72 km
2019	2019-3238A	8,632	43 km
2018	ROCK WALL	8,468	45 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-2°C)	0.8 in	Coldest, Driest
February	33°F (0°C)	0.9 in
March	43°F (6°C)	2.5 in
April	54°F (12°C)	3.2 in
May	64°F (18°C)	4.9 in
June	73°F (23°C)	5.2 in	Wettest
July	78°F (25°C)	3.6 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	3.6 in
September	69°F (20°C)	4.1 in
October	57°F (14°C)	2.9 in
November	43°F (6°C)	2.0 in
December	32°F (-0°C)	1.2 in

Alta Vista has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 28°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.2") and January the driest (0.8").

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