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Weather & Climate in Cherokee, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cherokee enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 33°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 47.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 932 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 57.5°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 932 ft (284 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 961/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.3450°N, 94.8213°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Crawford County County |
| Nearest Airport | Joplin Regional (JLN) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 71.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 51.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.
| May 18, 2005 | Missouri | M3.3 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2001 | 1 km SW of Hermitage, Missouri | M3.1 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2024 | 9 km SE of Foyil, Oklahoma | M2.8 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Jan 14, 2016 | 7 km W of Talala, Oklahoma | M2.7 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Sep 3, 2015 | 6 km WSW of Vera, Oklahoma | M2.6 | 143 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2010 | 2 km SW of Centerton, Arkansas | M2.6 | 120 km | 1 km |
| Apr 4, 2015 | 3 km ESE of Clinton, Missouri | M2.6 | 147 km | 2 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 3 km SW of Centerton, Arkansas | M2.5 | 121 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
579 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 224 fatalities, 2,073 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2011 | EF5 | 38 km | 21.6 mi | 158 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF4 | 48 km | 75.5 mi | 21 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | EF4 | 91 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 26 km | 33.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF4 | 61 km | 11.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 96 km | 19.4 mi | 3 |
| Sep 27, 1959 | EF4 | 67 km | 20.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 65 km | 41.8 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 52 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 32 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2011 | EF3 | 96 km | 17.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 99 km | 42.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 21, 2005 | EF3 | 47 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 37 km | 86.0 mi | 5 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 32 km | 25.0 mi | 5 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 73 km | 49.0 mi | 7 |
| Apr 19, 2000 | EF3 | 66 km | 34.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1995 | EF3 | 62 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1983 | EF3 | 14 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 21 km | 70.0 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,424 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 4,424 | 74 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 3,427 | 51 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,043 | 47 km |
| 2015 | VOLZ FIRE | 1,662 | 86 km |
| 2005 | NR STEELE | 1,652 | 99 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,539 | 53 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,523 | 68 km |
| 2010 | NO TORCH | 1,356 | 80 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,346 | 72 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,280 | 89 km |
| 2006 | GRAND | 1,067 | 52 km |
| 1984 | RESIDENT | 1,048 | 43 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 912 | 81 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 867 | 84 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 802 | 95 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 581 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 1.9 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 5.3 in | |
| June | 74°F (24°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 in |
Cherokee has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 33°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.4") and January the driest (1.5").