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Weather & Climate in Altoona, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Altoona enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 305 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 41.8 inches. The area receives 6.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 828 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 56.8°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 828 ft (252 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 772/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5245°N, 95.6615°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Wilson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Miami Regional (MIO) 60 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 18.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 18.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 48.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively 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
33 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 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.5 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 5 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.5 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.4 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2021 | 4 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.2 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 13 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M3.2 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 11 km E of Marion, Kansas | M3.2 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2021 | 3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.1 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jan 29, 2020 | 9 km ENE of Marion, Kansas | M3.1 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 1 km N of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.0 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jul 24, 2001 | 2 km NW of Augusta, Kansas | M3.0 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2024 | 9 km SE of Foyil, Oklahoma | M2.8 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Sep 9, 2016 | 7 km NNE of Rose Hill, Kansas | M2.8 | 128 km | 3 km |
| Jan 29, 2020 | 11 km SSE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.8 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2020 | 4 km SE of Marion, Kansas | M2.8 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2021 | 5 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M2.8 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Aug 10, 2016 | 7 km NNE of Rose Hill, Kansas | M2.7 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Sep 25, 2024 | 6 km NE of Cedar Point, Kansas | M2.7 | 131 km | 6 km |
| Jan 14, 2016 | 7 km W of Talala, Oklahoma | M2.7 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 2025 | 7 km ESE of Marion, Kansas | M2.6 | 143 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
505 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 40 fatalities, 593 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 10, 2008 | EF4 | 74 km | 75.5 mi | 21 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | EF4 | 84 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 51 km | 33.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 73 km | 19.4 mi | 3 |
| Sep 27, 1959 | EF4 | 83 km | 20.4 mi | 1 |
| Jun 26, 2018 | EF3 | 65 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2016 | EF3 | 85 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2005 | EF3 | 30 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 40 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 80 km | 25.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 19, 2000 | EF3 | 35 km | 34.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 67 km | 14.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 45 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1983 | EF3 | 86 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 59 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 92 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 60 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 76 km | 70.0 mi | 2 |
| Oct 15, 1980 | EF3 | 99 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 1979 | EF3 | 73 km | 7.9 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 | 96 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 60,976 | 82 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 51,112 | 77 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 32,901 | 91 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 20,760 | 29 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 20,347 | 89 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 19,648 | 76 km |
| 2015 | WOLF CREEK | 18,077 | 77 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 17,075 | 85 km |
| 2016 | BAR-DEW LAKE | 14,806 | 84 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,661 | 60 km |
| 2018 | 18-85 | 14,632 | 39 km |
| 2016 | FERGUSON RANCH | 13,625 | 76 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 13,265 | 32 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 13,063 | 81 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 12,241 | 82 km |
| 2002 | WEST UNIT | 11,187 | 95 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 11,123 | 98 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 10,911 | 90 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 8,678 | 43 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 2.9 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 2.8 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 1.7 in |
Altoona has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 32°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.2") and February the driest (1.3").