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Weather & Climate in Athol, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Athol experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 326 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 26.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 18.3 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 1,790 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 53.1°F |
| 2% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,790 ft (546 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 326/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.7662°N, 98.9197°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Smith County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kearney Regional (EAR) 67 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 21.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 28.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 74.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
148 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jun 22, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M4.6 | 75 km | 3 km |
| Jul 17, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.8 | 69 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 65 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 95 km | 11 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 46 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 75 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 67 km | 16 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 37 km | 13 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 62 km | 15 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 68 km | 10 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas | M3.3 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.3 | 68 km | 13 km |
| Sep 14, 2016 | 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 47 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
633 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 7 fatalities, 106 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1964 | EF5 | 99 km | 79.7 mi | 4 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF4 | 71 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF4 | 46 km | 131.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 56 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 20 km | 56.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1955 | EF4 | 43 km | 61.9 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2013 | EF3 | 34 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 73 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 68 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 87 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2008 | EF3 | 61 km | 18.9 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2008 | EF3 | 81 km | 55.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 76 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 69 km | 75.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 73 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1991 | EF3 | 57 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 85 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1986 | EF3 | 82 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 83 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1977 | EF3 | 84 km | 47.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FOUR COUNTY (122,971 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | FOUR COUNTY | 122,971 | 77 km |
| 2022 | NORTH BRANCH | 10,926 | 57 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,328 | 83 km |
| 2017 | GORHAM | 4,054 | 94 km |
| 2017 | FELLHOELTER | 1,664 | 57 km |
| 2024 | CODELL RD | 1,609 | 86 km |
| 2009 | CRAIG NALER | 1,464 | 84 km |
| 2010 | H-RX-F KIR NON NFP | 1,435 | 24 km |
| 2022 | KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX | 1,367 | 26 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 89 km |
| 2016 | KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS | 1,123 | 28 km |
| 2011 | W-RX-F NON FUNDED TREATMENT_KSKIR | 1,083 | 28 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 42 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,029 | 93 km |
| 2008 | H RX F BOTTOMS | 1,009 | 26 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,009 | 40 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.0 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in |
Athol has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 27°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.4").