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Weather & Climate in Centralia, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Centralia experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 78°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 35.9 inches. The area receives 33.4 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 1,281 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 53.7°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,281 ft (390 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,102/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.7244°N, 96.1310°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Nemaha County County |
| Nearest Airport | Manhattan Regional (MHK) 50 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 17.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 87.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
28 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 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 79 km | 5 km |
| May 15, 2025 | 5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas | M3.5 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Oct 10, 2024 | 6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas | M3.5 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Mar 12, 2020 | 6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.5 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2023 | 6 km N of Bennington, Kansas | M3.3 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Mar 24, 2020 | 8 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.3 | 133 km | 5 km |
| May 8, 2021 | 4 km ENE of Hope, Kansas | M3.2 | 137 km | 4 km |
| May 8, 2021 | 2 km E of Hope, Kansas | M3.2 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2019 | 5 km NNE of Kipp, Kansas | M3.2 | 149 km | 5 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 4 km NE of Hope, Kansas | M3.1 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2020 | 2 km WNW of Hope, Kansas | M3.1 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2019 | 2 km ENE of New Cambria, Kansas | M3.1 | 149 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2021 | 6 km NE of Hope, Kansas | M2.8 | 135 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
571 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 24 fatalities, 780 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF5 | 91 km | 21.1 mi | 16 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF4 | 83 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1962 | EF4 | 38 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 66 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 63 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | EF3 | 46 km | 2.2 mi | 1 |
| May 21, 2019 | EF3 | 28 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 28 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 6 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 74 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 100 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 70 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1983 | EF3 | 94 km | 19.0 mi | 1 |
| May 31, 1978 | EF3 | 50 km | 37.0 mi | 3 |
| Jun 11, 1967 | EF3 | 73 km | 43.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF3 | 91 km | 13.8 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1966 | EF3 | 68 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1966 | EF3 | 92 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 1965 | EF3 | 93 km | 23.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 1963 | EF3 | 76 km | 4.9 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BURLEY HILL (16,381 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | BURLEY HILL | 16,381 | 90 km |
| 2023 | WAGSTAFF | 16,111 | 99 km |
| 2010 | RANGE 51 | 13,760 | 80 km |
| 2009 | MA-KILO | 8,935 | 81 km |
| 2024 | AXELTON-BURKLUND | 8,831 | 53 km |
| 2019 | 2019-3238A | 8,632 | 80 km |
| 2023 | SMITH HILLS | 8,445 | 75 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 7,758 | 83 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,465 | 80 km |
| 2015 | IMPACT | 7,242 | 80 km |
| 2014 | MOYER RANCH | 6,641 | 90 km |
| 2022 | CARLSON | 6,101 | 51 km |
| 2005 | OAKS | 5,673 | 42 km |
| 2013 | IMPACT COMPLEX | 5,233 | 84 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 5,159 | 88 km |
| 2012 | CALFEX COMPLEX | 5,122 | 81 km |
| 2017 | WARREN ROAD | 5,037 | 69 km |
| 2022 | ILLINOIS CREEK | 5,008 | 99 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,425 | 82 km |
| 2014 | SHANNON CREEK | 3,954 | 45 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 2.3 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.6 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.1 in |
Centralia has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 27°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (0.8").