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Weather & Climate in Cottonwood Falls, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cottonwood Falls experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 302 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 38.0 inches. The area receives 10.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,220 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 54.7°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,220 ft (372 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,475/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.3682°N, 96.5428°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Chase County County |
| Nearest Airport | Manhattan Regional (MHK) 54 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 9.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 42.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
137 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.1 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas | M3.8 | 22 km | 5 km |
| Oct 10, 2024 | 6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas | M3.5 | 62 km | 10 km |
| Mar 20, 2022 | 9 km WNW of Viola, Kansas | M3.5 | 141 km | 2 km |
| Aug 19, 2016 | 7 km SSW of Cheney, Kansas | M3.5 | 142 km | 2 km |
| May 15, 2025 | 5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas | M3.5 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 5 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.5 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2020 | 6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.5 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.5 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Aug 31, 2017 | 7 km S of Cheney, Kansas | M3.4 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Mar 8, 2018 | 2 km WSW of Hutchinson, Kansas | M3.4 | 128 km | 11 km |
| Aug 2, 2025 | 6 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas | M3.4 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.4 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Mar 24, 2020 | 8 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.3 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2023 | 6 km N of Bennington, Kansas | M3.3 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 7 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas | M3.3 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Aug 4, 2025 | 5 km E of Assaria, Kansas | M3.3 | 93 km | 10 km |
| Apr 14, 2018 | 4 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M3.2 | 132 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
607 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 103 fatalities, 1,073 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 81 km | 22.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF5 | 82 km | 21.1 mi | 16 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF5 | 91 km | 69.4 mi | 44 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF4 | 86 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF4 | 98 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1974 | EF4 | 29 km | 37.5 mi | 6 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 89 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1958 | EF4 | 71 km | 9.0 mi | 15 |
| Jun 26, 2018 | EF3 | 65 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 6, 2016 | EF3 | 93 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2016 | EF3 | 46 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2011 | EF3 | 49 km | 10.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 76 km | 15.3 mi | 1 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 73 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 82 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 80 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1985 | EF3 | 50 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1983 | EF3 | 83 km | 19.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF3 | 86 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1971 | EF3 | 49 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RD 80 (63,061 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | RD 80 | 63,061 | 26 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 60,976 | 65 km |
| 1998 | ANNUAL BUR | 60,039 | 11 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 26,655 | 22 km |
| 2000 | WEST SIDE MVD | 18,701 | 14 km |
| 2016 | BURLEY HILL | 16,381 | 73 km |
| 2023 | WAGSTAFF | 16,111 | 57 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 15,512 | 55 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 15,100 | 18 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 13 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,661 | 62 km |
| 2018 | 18-85 | 14,632 | 85 km |
| 2010 | RANGE 51 | 13,760 | 91 km |
| 2016 | FERGUSON RANCH | 13,625 | 98 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 13,063 | 57 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 12,241 | 59 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 12,063 | 13 km |
| 2002 | WEST UNIT | 11,187 | 28 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 11,123 | 24 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 10,911 | 39 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 1.2 in |
Cottonwood Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 30°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.3") and January the driest (0.8").