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Weather & Climate in Bison, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bison experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 78°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 26.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 14.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,016 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-1°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 53.5°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,016 ft (614 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 744/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.5199°N, 99.1979°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Rush County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hays Regional (HYS) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 5.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 80.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| 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
128 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 | 80 km | 3 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.1 | 118 km | 5 km |
| May 23, 2015 | 6 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas | M4.0 | 123 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 80 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 101 km | 11 km |
| Aug 2, 2025 | 6 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas | M3.4 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 110 km | 13 km |
| Sep 18, 2015 | 11 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas | M3.4 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Mar 8, 2018 | 2 km WSW of Hutchinson, Kansas | M3.4 | 120 km | 11 km |
| May 23, 2015 | 8 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas | M3.3 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas | M3.3 | 41 km | 5 km |
| Aug 4, 2025 | 5 km E of Assaria, Kansas | M3.3 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 7 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas | M3.3 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2016 | 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Mar 13, 2025 | 0 km SE of Glen Elder, Kansas | M3.2 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Sep 19, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.2 | 64 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
783 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 206 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 18, 2013 | EF4 | 48 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF4 | 83 km | 50.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2001 | EF4 | 36 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF4 | 72 km | 25.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF4 | 93 km | 26.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1951 | EF4 | 82 km | 0.8 mi | 5 |
| May 4, 1950 | EF4 | 55 km | 34.3 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 39 km | 26.6 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 90 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 82 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 73 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 69 km | 39.7 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 60 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 87 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 93 km | 18.2 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 72 km | 17.4 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 99 km | 23.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2007 | EF3 | 91 km | 29.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2005 | EF3 | 79 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 2004 | EF3 | 66 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FOUR COUNTY (122,971 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | FOUR COUNTY | 122,971 | 64 km |
| 2022 | NESS/ELLIS COUNTY | 14,699 | 39 km |
| 2022 | GARFIELD | 8,650 | 48 km |
| 2017 | HODGEMAN COUNTY | 8,518 | 71 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 6,406 | 79 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,328 | 60 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 5,494 | 65 km |
| 2011 | JORDEN SPRINGS | 5,488 | 84 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,168 | 89 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 4,972 | 41 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 4,558 | 84 km |
| 2021 | BOILING SPRINGS | 4,299 | 74 km |
| 1989 | SLEEPER | 4,269 | 71 km |
| 2017 | GORHAM | 4,054 | 48 km |
| 2006 | HODGEMAN WEST | 4,051 | 94 km |
| 2010 | BIG SALT MARSH | 3,960 | 71 km |
| 1991 | ROAD 484 | 3,626 | 71 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 3,618 | 75 km |
| 1998 | EAST BG SALT | 3,521 | 71 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,330 | 51 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 1.8 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 2.7 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 0.6 in |
Bison has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 29°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.4").