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Weather & Climate in Colby, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Colby experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 77°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 20.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 27.2 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 3,168 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.8°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,168 ft (966 m) |
| Area | 3.7 sq mi (9.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,464/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3847°N, 101.0451°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Thomas County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK) 62 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 9.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 69.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
48 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 | 141 km | 3 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 143 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 105 km | 11 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2016 | 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas | M3.3 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Sep 19, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.2 | 133 km | 3 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | Kansas | M3.1 | 139 km | 4 km |
| Aug 31, 2016 | 9 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 133 km | 9 km |
| Apr 17, 2003 | 4 km WNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 135 km | 5 km |
| May 11, 2019 | 5 km NNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2025 | 2 km SW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 138 km | 12 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2003 | 7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska | M2.9 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2019 | 2 km E of Zurich, Kansas | M2.9 | 142 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2025 | 3 km SSE of Hill City, Kansas | M2.9 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2021 | Kansas | M2.9 | 134 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
596 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 24 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 23, 2008 | EF4 | 82 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1990 | EF4 | 87 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1982 | EF3 | 68 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF3 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 59 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 35 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF3 | 46 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1969 | EF3 | 93 km | 47.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1965 | EF3 | 36 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1960 | EF3 | 43 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1958 | EF3 | 95 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1951 | EF3 | 53 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1951 | EF3 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2021 | EF2 | 96 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF2 | 94 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 2017 | EF2 | 87 km | 18.3 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2015 | EF2 | 37 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF2 | 75 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF2 | 46 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2007 | EF2 | 45 km | 34.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHERRY CREEK (4,273 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | CHERRY CREEK | 4,273 | 75 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,535 | 87 km |
| 2011 | ZWEYGARDT | 2,118 | 82 km |
| 2008 | GOVE EAST | 1,849 | 84 km |
| 2007 | WANO | 1,556 | 76 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,488 | 71 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,417 | 75 km |
| 2007 | BRADSHAW | 1,255 | 88 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,154 | 84 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,154 | 61 km |
| 2022 | COUNTY ROAD 56 | 1,076 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in |
Colby has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 29°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.4").