All Countries
Weather & Climate in Elkhart, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elkhart enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 330 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 18.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.6 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 3,596 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (1°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 56.0°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,596 ft (1,096 m) |
| Area | 2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 845/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.0038°N, 101.8944°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Morton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Liberal Mid-America Regional (LBL) 52 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| 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 | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Mar 17, 2022 | 13 km SSW of Clayton, New Mexico | M3.8 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Jun 19, 2002 | 19 km NE of Clayton, New Mexico | M3.7 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Feb 18, 2006 | 17 km WNW of Fritch, Texas | M3.5 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 2022 | 8 km S of Clayton, New Mexico | M3.4 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Nov 16, 2013 | 33 km ENE of Grenville, New Mexico | M2.7 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2020 | 14 km WNW of Pritchett, Colorado | M2.7 | 110 km | 5 km |
| May 17, 2024 | 3 km SSE of Hartley, Texas | M2.7 | 134 km | 4 km |
| Jan 8, 2011 | 7 km SSE of Hartley, Texas | M2.5 | 138 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
403 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 26 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1993 | EF4 | 57 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1977 | EF4 | 60 km | 38.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1971 | EF4 | 93 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2015 | EF3 | 92 km | 51.3 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1996 | EF3 | 71 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1993 | EF3 | 72 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1993 | EF3 | 50 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1989 | EF3 | 80 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1987 | EF3 | 100 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1972 | EF3 | 16 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1951 | EF3 | 79 km | 44.8 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2010 | EF2 | 63 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2010 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2008 | EF2 | 96 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2005 | EF2 | 82 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2003 | EF2 | 86 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2003 | EF2 | 87 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2003 | EF2 | 90 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2003 | EF2 | 84 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 2001 | EF2 | 71 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BADGER HOLE (49,146 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | BADGER HOLE | 49,146 | 51 km |
| 2011 | TUNNER | 17,774 | 17 km |
| 2011 | 296 | 16,769 | 93 km |
| 2018 | RABBIT 22 | 10,393 | 95 km |
| 2021 | COBB FIRE | 7,142 | 42 km |
| 2006 | WINDY | 6,882 | 97 km |
| 2011 | HASKELL COUNTY | 6,736 | 87 km |
| 1997 | BUOY LINE | 6,118 | 74 km |
| 2016 | OPTIMA | 5,084 | 80 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 4,478 | 92 km |
| 2006 | MOUNT CARMEL | 4,061 | 42 km |
| 2019 | C34 | 3,883 | 53 km |
| 2018 | APPLE NM | 3,779 | 98 km |
| 2017 | BLACK MONDAY | 3,376 | 90 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,162 | 86 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,605 | 65 km |
| 2006 | STEELER | 2,471 | 19 km |
| 2006 | ADAMS | 2,340 | 81 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,249 | 98 km |
| 2006 | RB-78 | 2,123 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (1°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 2.2 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 0.4 in |
Elkhart has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 35°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.6") and January the driest (0.4").