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Weather & Climate in Clayton, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clayton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 27°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 26.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 19.6 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 2,427 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.6°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,427 ft (740 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 136/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.7369°N, 100.1765°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Decatur County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 11.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 26.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 35.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
73 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 | 87 km | 3 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 59 km | 11 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 88 km | 13 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 29 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2016 | 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas | M3.3 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Sep 19, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.2 | 96 km | 3 km |
| May 24, 2023 | 12 km S of Alton, Kansas | M3.2 | 114 km | 7 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska | M3.1 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | Kansas | M3.1 | 82 km | 4 km |
| Aug 31, 2016 | 9 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 95 km | 9 km |
| Jul 15, 2025 | 2 km SW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 84 km | 12 km |
| Apr 17, 2003 | 4 km WNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 80 km | 5 km |
| May 11, 2019 | 5 km NNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 2019 | 4 km E of Catharine, Kansas | M3.0 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 108 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
546 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 133 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 23, 2008 | EF4 | 89 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 88 km | 56.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 75 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1951 | EF4 | 83 km | 0.8 mi | 5 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF3 | 98 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 34 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 38 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 45 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2005 | EF3 | 100 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 34 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 100 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1991 | EF3 | 73 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 84 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1978 | EF3 | 97 km | 22.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 72 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 92 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 92 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF3 | 41 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1969 | EF3 | 72 km | 47.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1965 | EF3 | 49 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
15 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROAD 702 (45,166 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | ROAD 702 | 45,166 | 47 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 739 | 32,997 | 78 km |
| 2008 | GOVE EAST | 1,849 | 98 km |
| 2017 | FELLHOELTER | 1,664 | 78 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,488 | 70 km |
| 2010 | H-RX-F KIR NON NFP | 1,435 | 87 km |
| 2022 | KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX | 1,367 | 86 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 22 km |
| 2016 | KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS | 1,123 | 82 km |
| 2011 | W-RX-F NON FUNDED TREATMENT_KSKIR | 1,083 | 82 km |
| 2023 | NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON | 1,061 | 94 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 98 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,029 | 57 km |
| 2008 | H RX F BOTTOMS | 1,009 | 88 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,009 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in |
Clayton has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 27°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.5").