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Weather & Climate in Benton, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 317 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 32.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,373 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 57.0°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 317 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,373 ft (418 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 645/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.7881°N, 97.1078°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Sedgwick County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower Ntl (ICT) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,044 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Jan 31, 2022 | 7 km NW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.5 | 121 km | 8 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jun 9, 2018 | 8 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 142 km | 10 km |
| May 17, 2019 | 8 km E of Pond Creek, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jul 20, 2015 | 7 km SSE of Byron, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 146 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2014 | 9 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Jefferson, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 131 km | 6 km |
| Jan 26, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 117 km | 7 km |
| Feb 19, 2021 | 6 km SW of Manchester, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 127 km | 7 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Aug 14, 2015 | 6 km WNW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 123 km | 0 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.1 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Jun 5, 2015 | 3 km SW of Danville, Kansas | M4.1 | 92 km | 2 km |
| Mar 29, 2017 | 8 km W of Deer Creek, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 117 km | 3 km |
| Jan 16, 2019 | 4 km ENE of South Haven, Kansas | M4.0 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Mar 24, 2015 | 11 km ENE of Nescatunga, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 139 km | 7 km |
| Aug 5, 2015 | 4 km NW of Hunter, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 142 km | 6 km |
| Jan 27, 2015 | 8 km NNW of Hunter, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2014 | 10 km W of Jefferson, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2014 | 1 km NE of Medford, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 121 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
736 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 46 fatalities, 672 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF5 | 48 km | 46.0 mi | 17 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 80 km | 48.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 49 km | 22.0 mi | 1 |
| May 12, 2004 | EF4 | 98 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1999 | EF4 | 58 km | 24.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF4 | 81 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF4 | 80 km | 25.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF4 | 85 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1969 | EF4 | 50 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1958 | EF4 | 10 km | 9.0 mi | 15 |
| Jun 8, 1950 | EF4 | 94 km | 17.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 29, 2022 | EF3 | 20 km | 12.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2018 | EF3 | 70 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2016 | EF3 | 61 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2015 | EF3 | 89 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2015 | EF3 | 48 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 93 km | 18.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 34 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2004 | EF3 | 37 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2004 | EF3 | 63 km | 2.5 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 | 76 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 60,976 | 51 km |
| 1998 | ANNUAL BUR | 60,039 | 89 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 26,655 | 61 km |
| 2000 | WEST SIDE MVD | 18,701 | 89 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 15,100 | 64 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 86 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,661 | 88 km |
| 2018 | 18-85 | 14,632 | 94 km |
| 2016 | FERGUSON RANCH | 13,625 | 62 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 13,063 | 56 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 12,241 | 53 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 12,063 | 85 km |
| 2002 | WEST UNIT | 11,187 | 74 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 11,123 | 79 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 10,911 | 62 km |
| 2001 | TALLGRASS 01 | 10,737 | 86 km |
| 2016 | BURMAC | 10,668 | 59 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 9,081 | 82 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,987 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 71°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 1.3 in |
Benton has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 33°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.9") and January the driest (0.9").