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Weather & Climate in Chautauqua, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chautauqua enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 305 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 40.5 inches. The area receives 9.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 906 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 57.4°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 906 ft (276 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 257/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.0239°N, 96.1771°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Chautauqua County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ponca City Regional (PNC) 55 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 12.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 45.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,638 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Sep 3, 2016 | 14 km NW of Pawnee, Oklahoma | M5.8 | 95 km | 6 km |
| Apr 7, 2018 | 5 km WNW of Lucien, Oklahoma | M4.6 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Jan 31, 2022 | 7 km NW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.5 | 145 km | 8 km |
| May 17, 2019 | 8 km E of Pond Creek, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Jefferson, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 139 km | 6 km |
| Jun 17, 2015 | 6 km ESE of Covington, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 146 km | 6 km |
| Feb 5, 2021 | 5 km WNW of Lucien, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 145 km | 7 km |
| Jul 14, 2017 | 10 km WSW of Shamrock, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 137 km | 7 km |
| Jan 26, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 137 km | 7 km |
| Jul 17, 2016 | 5 km W of Lucien, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jan 27, 2015 | 3 km SE of Perry, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 129 km | 3 km |
| Jun 21, 2020 | 9 km NW of Perry, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 129 km | 8 km |
| Aug 14, 2015 | 6 km WNW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 146 km | 0 km |
| Sep 18, 2015 | 3 km WNW of Cushing, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 127 km | 0 km |
| Mar 29, 2017 | 8 km W of Deer Creek, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 130 km | 3 km |
| Jun 14, 2015 | 6 km WNW of Lucien, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Sep 25, 2015 | 1 km W of Cushing, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 128 km | 3 km |
| Aug 5, 2015 | 4 km NW of Hunter, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 143 km | 6 km |
| Jan 27, 2015 | 8 km NNW of Hunter, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2019 | 4 km ENE of South Haven, Kansas | M4.0 | 105 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
642 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 116 fatalities, 1,047 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 25, 1955 | EF5 | 88 km | 56.4 mi | 80 |
| May 6, 2024 | EF4 | 79 km | 40.8 mi | 2 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF4 | 92 km | 75.5 mi | 21 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF4 | 87 km | 25.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF4 | 76 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF4 | 100 km | 32.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 27, 1959 | EF4 | 85 km | 20.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1956 | EF4 | 74 km | 108.3 mi | 2 |
| May 25, 2024 | EF3 | 88 km | 23.9 mi | 2 |
| Jun 26, 2018 | EF3 | 88 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2005 | EF3 | 86 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 89 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 69 km | 45.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2000 | EF3 | 60 km | 34.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1993 | EF3 | 82 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1992 | EF3 | 76 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 54 km | 14.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 81 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF3 | 57 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 29 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (60,976 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 60,976 | 90 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 51,112 | 39 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 36,112 | 43 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 32,901 | 22 km |
| 2018 | DRUMB | 30,422 | 63 km |
| 2021 | CANDY CREEK | 23,167 | 53 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 20,760 | 53 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 20,347 | 20 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 19,648 | 14 km |
| 2014 | RESERVE | 19,016 | 65 km |
| 2018 | WEST 60 | 18,715 | 38 km |
| 2015 | WOLF CREEK | 18,077 | 42 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 17,075 | 23 km |
| 2023 | HWY 123 | 14,980 | 42 km |
| 2016 | BAR-DEW LAKE | 14,806 | 25 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,661 | 100 km |
| 2018 | 18-85 | 14,632 | 77 km |
| 2014 | SPIDER | 14,587 | 56 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 14,119 | 63 km |
| 2016 | FERGUSON RANCH | 13,625 | 59 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 38°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 3.1 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 1.8 in |
Chautauqua has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 34°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.5") and January the driest (1.3").