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Weather & Climate in Carlton, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Carlton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 82°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 34.3 inches. The area receives 12.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,315 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 57.5°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,315 ft (401 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 112/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.6867°N, 97.2932°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Dickinson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Salina Regional (SLN) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 39.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 88.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
197 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.1 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas | M3.8 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 137 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2020 | 6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.5 | 23 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2022 | 9 km WNW of Viola, Kansas | M3.5 | 136 km | 2 km |
| Oct 10, 2024 | 6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas | M3.5 | 25 km | 10 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 5 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.5 | 107 km | 5 km |
| May 15, 2025 | 5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas | M3.5 | 28 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Aug 19, 2016 | 7 km SSW of Cheney, Kansas | M3.5 | 132 km | 2 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.5 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 143 km | 15 km |
| Mar 8, 2018 | 2 km WSW of Hutchinson, Kansas | M3.4 | 91 km | 11 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 139 km | 16 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.4 | 109 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
631 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 29 fatalities, 457 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 61 km | 22.0 mi | 1 |
| May 25, 2016 | EF4 | 37 km | 25.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF4 | 89 km | 50.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF4 | 71 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF4 | 48 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1974 | EF4 | 98 km | 37.5 mi | 6 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 98 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1958 | EF4 | 96 km | 9.0 mi | 15 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF4 | 86 km | 44.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1950 | EF4 | 68 km | 17.1 mi | 1 |
| May 1, 2018 | EF3 | 58 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 6, 2016 | EF3 | 19 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2015 | EF3 | 82 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2015 | EF3 | 99 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 53 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 28 km | 15.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 34 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 81 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1990 | EF3 | 80 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 71 km | 18.0 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 | 98 km |
| 1998 | ANNUAL BUR | 60,039 | 69 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 26,655 | 83 km |
| 2000 | WEST SIDE MVD | 18,701 | 64 km |
| 2016 | BURLEY HILL | 16,381 | 67 km |
| 2023 | WAGSTAFF | 16,111 | 88 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 15,512 | 96 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 15,100 | 75 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 87 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 60 km |
| 2010 | RANGE 51 | 13,760 | 72 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 12,063 | 88 km |
| 2002 | WEST UNIT | 11,187 | 98 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 11,123 | 97 km |
| 2001 | TALLGRASS 01 | 10,737 | 66 km |
| 2016 | BURMAC | 10,668 | 74 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 9,081 | 83 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,987 | 79 km |
| 2009 | MA-KILO | 8,935 | 73 km |
| 2019 | 2019-3238A | 8,632 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 1.1 in |
Carlton has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 33°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (0.8").