Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Crab Orchard experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 275 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 33.0 inches. The area receives 21.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 1,283 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
51.2°F
5% below US avg
January Average
24°F (-4°C)
July Average
76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,283 ft (391 m)
Area
0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density
144/sq mi
Coordinates
40.3347°N, 96.4224°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Johnson County County
Nearest Airport
Lincoln (LNK) 44 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall33.0"
13% below US avg
Snowfall21.4"
Wettest Month (May)4.29"
Driest Month (Jan)0.67"
Air Quality
AQI Median
32.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
4.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
66.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
No Rating
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Very 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
11 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.6.
May 6, 2021
5 km S of Formoso, Kansas
M3.6
150 km
5 km
Dec 17, 2009
2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska
M3.6
48 km
5 km
Jul 16, 2004
6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa
M3.5
81 km
5 km
Jan 9, 2013
5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas
M3.3
146 km
5 km
May 6, 2021
2 km S of Formoso, Kansas
M3.1
149 km
5 km
Mar 23, 2007
5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas
M3.1
134 km
5 km
Feb 11, 1995
6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri
M3.1
126 km
5 km
Jan 6, 2014
5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska
M2.9
26 km
5 km
Mar 31, 1993
2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska
M2.9
65 km
5 km
Jan 19, 2019
6 km SSE of Formoso, Kansas
M2.6
148 km
5 km
Aug 31, 2017
7 km S of Courtland, Kansas
M2.6
144 km
5 km
Oct 28, 2017
9 km NW of Jamestown, Kansas
M2.5
148 km
7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
612 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 387 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 26, 2024
EF4
97 km
31.9 mi
0
May 22, 2004
EF4
77 km
54.0 mi
1
Jun 13, 2001
EF4
80 km
8.0 mi
0
May 6, 1975
EF4
98 km
8.0 mi
3
Jun 22, 1964
EF4
92 km
11.9 mi
0
Apr 5, 1954
EF4
91 km
6.3 mi
0
Aug 13, 1952
EF4
99 km
26.7 mi
0
Apr 26, 2024
EF3
60 km
5.3 mi
0
May 21, 2019
EF3
62 km
5.9 mi
0
Jun 3, 2014
EF3
52 km
6.3 mi
0
May 11, 2014
EF3
96 km
19.1 mi
0
May 28, 2013
EF3
79 km
4.4 mi
0
Jul 24, 1993
EF3
55 km
9.0 mi
0
Jun 15, 1992
EF3
66 km
14.0 mi
0
Jun 15, 1992
EF3
79 km
21.0 mi
0
Apr 26, 1991
EF3
62 km
24.0 mi
0
Apr 26, 1991
EF3
30 km
14.0 mi
0
Aug 28, 1979
EF3
85 km
38.3 mi
2
Jul 1, 1965
EF3
43 km
12.8 mi
0
May 8, 1965
EF3
99 km
40.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: AXELTON-BURKLUND (8,831 acres, 2024).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2024
AXELTON-BURKLUND
8,831
96 km
2022
CARLSON
6,101
95 km
2014
SHANNON CREEK
3,954
91 km
1996
UNNAMED
1,819
74 km
2016
BLUE RAPIDS
1,744
89 km
2023
ROCK CREEK
1,433
61 km
1991
UNNAMED
1,296
72 km
1994
UNNAMED
1,107
99 km
2023
SHANNON CREEK
1,089
96 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
24°F (-4°C)
0.7 in
Coldest, Driest
February
30°F (-1°C)
0.8 in
March
40°F (5°C)
2.4 in
April
52°F (11°C)
2.8 in
May
62°F (17°C)
4.3 in
Wettest
June
72°F (22°C)
3.9 in
July
76°F (24°C)
4.1 in
Warmest
August
75°F (24°C)
3.7 in
September
66°F (19°C)
3.5 in
October
54°F (12°C)
2.4 in
November
39°F (4°C)
1.6 in
December
28°F (-2°C)
1.0 in
Crab Orchard has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 24°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.7").