Weather & Climate in Ellinwood, KS

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

Ellinwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 326 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 27.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 11.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,789 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	54.3°F
	1% above US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,789 ft (545 m)
Area	1.1 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density	1,568/sq mi
Coordinates	38.3573°N, 98.5838°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Barton County County
Nearest Airport	Hutchinson Regional (HUT) 44 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.3"

28% below US avg

Snowfall 11.5"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.94"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	60.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	60.4 / 100
Community Resilience	70.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

388 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Jun 22, 2019	2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas	M4.6	120 km	3 km
Jan 19, 2020	2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.5	65 km	5 km
Aug 16, 2019	3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.2	64 km	5 km
Aug 18, 2019	5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.1	63 km	5 km
Jun 5, 2015	3 km SW of Danville, Kansas	M4.1	135 km	2 km
May 23, 2015	6 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas	M4.0	108 km	5 km
Mar 3, 2015	4 km W of Freeport, Kansas	M3.8	142 km	10 km
Jun 10, 2017	6 km SSE of Harper, Kansas	M3.7	136 km	4 km
Mar 16, 2014	3 km WSW of Freeport, Kansas	M3.7	143 km	3 km
May 4, 2017	3 km NNW of Freeport, Kansas	M3.7	140 km	4 km
Jun 22, 2017	7 km SE of Harper, Kansas	M3.7	136 km	4 km
Feb 10, 2015	4 km NNE of Anthony, Kansas	M3.6	139 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2017	6 km SE of Harper, Kansas	M3.6	136 km	5 km
Jun 5, 2015	9 km SE of Harper, Kansas	M3.6	138 km	5 km
Feb 15, 2015	4 km WSW of Freeport, Kansas	M3.6	143 km	5 km
May 30, 1991	5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	117 km	5 km
Jan 4, 2015	4 km S of Harper, Kansas	M3.5	133 km	5 km
Jul 5, 2016	10 km SSW of Spivey, Kansas	M3.5	117 km	5 km
May 31, 2019	2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	120 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2025	9 km S of Hill City, Kansas	M3.5	149 km	11 km

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

Tornado History

797 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 17 fatalities, 293 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 13, 1990	EF5	82 km	48.0 mi	1
May 18, 2013	EF4	81 km	7.0 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF4	29 km	50.3 mi	0
Apr 21, 2001	EF4	23 km	5.0 mi	1
May 7, 1993	EF4	61 km	25.5 mi	1
Jun 15, 1992	EF4	80 km	6.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 1991	EF4	64 km	13.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1950	EF4	57 km	17.1 mi	1
May 4, 1950	EF4	59 km	34.3 mi	0
May 1, 2018	EF3	89 km	15.8 mi	0
May 16, 2017	EF3	42 km	26.6 mi	0
May 24, 2016	EF3	81 km	8.3 mi	0
Jul 13, 2015	EF3	55 km	5.3 mi	0
May 6, 2015	EF3	100 km	16.5 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF3	53 km	39.7 mi	0
Jun 11, 2008	EF3	90 km	16.5 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	79 km	18.2 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	98 km	21.9 mi	2
May 4, 2007	EF3	60 km	17.4 mi	1
May 4, 2007	EF3	86 km	18.2 mi	1

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FOUR COUNTY (122,971 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	FOUR COUNTY	122,971	90 km
1988	UNNAMED	14,832	69 km
2022	NESS/ELLIS COUNTY	14,699	95 km
2016	BURMAC	10,668	86 km
1994	UNNAMED	8,987	56 km
2022	GARFIELD	8,650	60 km
1988	SMOKY HILL AIR FORCE RANGE	7,665	77 km
2017	HIGHLANDS	7,418	61 km
2022	COTTONWOOD COMPLEX	6,487	82 km
2008	UNNAMED	6,406	25 km
1989	UNNAMED	6,328	96 km
2006	TWELTH STREET	6,282	87 km
2018	RICE COUNTY	5,504	56 km
2006	UNNAMED	5,494	100 km
2011	JORDEN SPRINGS	5,488	31 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,168	76 km
1996	UNNAMED	4,972	96 km
2020	WHEAT STATE	4,847	87 km
1989	UNNAMED	4,558	31 km
2021	BOILING SPRINGS	4,299	27 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	34°F (1°C)	0.8 in
March	44°F (7°C)	1.9 in
April	54°F (12°C)	2.3 in
May	64°F (18°C)	3.6 in
June	74°F (24°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
July	78°F (26°C)	3.3 in	Warmest
August	78°F (26°C)	3.1 in
September	69°F (21°C)	2.4 in
October	57°F (14°C)	2.1 in
November	42°F (6°C)	1.1 in
December	33°F (0°C)	0.8 in

Ellinwood has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 30°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.5").

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