Weather & Climate in Council Grove, KS

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Council Grove experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 78°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 37.3 inches. The area receives 18.2 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 1,231 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	53.8°F
	0% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-2°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,231 ft (375 m)
Area	2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²)
Population Density	1,162/sq mi
Coordinates	38.6631°N, 96.4918°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Morris County County
Nearest Airport	Manhattan Regional (MHK) 34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.3"

2% below US avg

Snowfall 18.2"

Wettest Month (Jun) 5.20"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	27.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	79.3 / 100
Community Resilience	60.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

100 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	147 km	5 km
Aug 16, 2019	3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.2	148 km	5 km
Sep 16, 2019	15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas	M3.8	30 km	5 km
Mar 14, 2021	5 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas	M3.5	123 km	5 km
Oct 10, 2024	6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas	M3.5	48 km	10 km
Mar 14, 2021	3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas	M3.5	124 km	5 km
Mar 12, 2020	6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas	M3.5	48 km	5 km
May 15, 2025	5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas	M3.5	42 km	5 km
Mar 8, 2018	2 km WSW of Hutchinson, Kansas	M3.4	144 km	11 km
Mar 14, 2021	3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas	M3.4	124 km	5 km
Aug 2, 2025	6 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas	M3.4	92 km	5 km
Apr 6, 2023	6 km N of Bennington, Kansas	M3.3	106 km	5 km
Aug 3, 2025	7 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas	M3.3	90 km	5 km
Mar 24, 2020	8 km NNE of Hope, Kansas	M3.3	49 km	5 km
Aug 4, 2025	5 km E of Assaria, Kansas	M3.3	91 km	10 km
May 8, 2021	4 km ENE of Hope, Kansas	M3.2	47 km	4 km
Mar 15, 2021	4 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas	M3.2	124 km	5 km
Jul 30, 2019	5 km NNE of Kipp, Kansas	M3.2	83 km	5 km
Sep 16, 2019	11 km E of Marion, Kansas	M3.2	48 km	5 km
Apr 14, 2018	4 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M3.2	149 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

605 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 95 fatalities, 1,192 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 13, 1990	EF5	100 km	22.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1966	EF5	57 km	21.1 mi	16
May 20, 1957	EF5	89 km	69.4 mi	44
May 28, 2019	EF4	100 km	29.1 mi	0
May 25, 2016	EF4	90 km	25.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 2008	EF4	55 km	8.6 mi	0
Jun 8, 1974	EF4	36 km	37.5 mi	6
May 19, 1960	EF4	56 km	20.6 mi	0
May 19, 1960	EF4	74 km	27.5 mi	1
Apr 30, 2024	EF3	81 km	2.2 mi	1
Jun 26, 2018	EF3	96 km	9.2 mi	0
Oct 6, 2016	EF3	86 km	6.5 mi	0
Jul 7, 2016	EF3	78 km	4.2 mi	0
May 21, 2011	EF3	46 km	10.1 mi	1
Jun 11, 2008	EF3	59 km	15.3 mi	1
May 8, 2003	EF3	65 km	25.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1985	EF3	17 km	2.0 mi	0
May 6, 1983	EF3	60 km	19.0 mi	1
May 31, 1978	EF3	74 km	37.0 mi	3
May 4, 1977	EF3	99 km	31.6 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	56 km
2014	UNNAMED	60,976	98 km
1998	ANNUAL BUR	60,039	23 km
2002	UNNAMED	26,655	55 km
2000	WEST SIDE MVD	18,701	22 km
2016	BURLEY HILL	16,381	41 km
2023	WAGSTAFF	16,111	26 km
1988	UNNAMED	15,512	29 km
2016	UNNAMED	15,100	50 km
1996	UNNAMED	14,832	38 km
1996	UNNAMED	14,661	89 km
2010	RANGE 51	13,760	60 km
1991	UNNAMED	13,063	90 km
1989	UNNAMED	12,241	91 km
1991	UNNAMED	12,063	39 km
2002	WEST UNIT	11,187	58 km
1992	UNNAMED	11,123	53 km
1996	UNNAMED	10,911	71 km
2001	TALLGRASS 01	10,737	25 km
1996	UNNAMED	9,081	38 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-2°C)	0.8 in	Coldest, Driest
February	34°F (1°C)	0.9 in
March	44°F (7°C)	2.5 in
April	55°F (13°C)	3.2 in
May	64°F (18°C)	4.6 in
June	73°F (23°C)	5.2 in	Wettest
July	78°F (25°C)	3.5 in	Warmest
August	78°F (25°C)	3.5 in
September	69°F (21°C)	4.1 in
October	57°F (14°C)	2.9 in
November	43°F (6°C)	1.9 in
December	33°F (0°C)	1.2 in

Council Grove has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 28°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.2") and January the driest (0.8").

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