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Weather & Climate in Columbus, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbus enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°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 46.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 913 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.3°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 913 ft (278 m) |
| Area | 2.4 sq mi (6.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,194/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.1716°N, 94.8441°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Cherokee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Miami Regional (MIO) 18 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 53.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 35.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| 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
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.8.
| Mar 23, 2024 | 9 km SE of Foyil, Oklahoma | M2.8 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Jan 14, 2016 | 7 km W of Talala, Oklahoma | M2.7 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Sep 3, 2015 | 6 km WSW of Vera, Oklahoma | M2.6 | 129 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2010 | 2 km SW of Centerton, Arkansas | M2.6 | 104 km | 1 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 3 km SW of Centerton, Arkansas | M2.5 | 104 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
625 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 223 fatalities, 2,106 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2011 | EF5 | 26 km | 21.6 mi | 158 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF4 | 33 km | 75.5 mi | 21 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 36 km | 33.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF4 | 45 km | 11.9 mi | 3 |
| Sep 27, 1959 | EF4 | 51 km | 20.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 46 km | 41.8 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2024 | EF3 | 99 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 56 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 21 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2011 | EF3 | 77 km | 17.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 95 km | 42.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 21, 2005 | EF3 | 53 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 14 km | 25.0 mi | 5 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 64 km | 49.0 mi | 7 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 53 km | 86.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 19, 2000 | EF3 | 63 km | 34.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1995 | EF3 | 80 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1983 | EF3 | 31 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 24 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 55 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (51,112 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 51,112 | 93 km |
| 2015 | WOLF CREEK | 18,077 | 90 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 6,373 | 100 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 4,424 | 62 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 3,427 | 34 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 3,160 | 91 km |
| 2021 | BRUSH CREEK | 2,814 | 88 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,661 | 91 km |
| 2021 | BIG CREEK | 2,123 | 96 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,043 | 66 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 1,996 | 92 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,992 | 92 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,774 | 92 km |
| 2015 | VOLZ FIRE | 1,662 | 86 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,539 | 70 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,523 | 49 km |
| 2010 | NO TORCH | 1,356 | 64 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,346 | 84 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,280 | 75 km |
| 2021 | RUNAWAY | 1,253 | 94 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 | 38°F (3°C) | 1.8 in | |
| March | 47°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 2.1 in |
Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 33°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.4") and January the driest (1.5").