Weather & Climate in Ellis, KS

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

Ellis experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 79°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 22.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.3 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 2,134 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	54.0°F
	0% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,134 ft (650 m)
Area	1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²)
Population Density	1,292/sq mi
Coordinates	38.9347°N, 99.5568°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Ellis County County
Nearest Airport	Hays Regional (HYS) 17 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.7"

40% below US avg

Snowfall 17.3"

Wettest Month (Jul) 3.39"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	32.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	78.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

102 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	33 km	3 km
Jun 12, 2017	5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.7	150 km	5 km
Jun 13, 2017	6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.6	150 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2025	9 km S of Hill City, Kansas	M3.5	45 km	11 km
May 31, 2019	2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	33 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2021	Kansas	M3.5	133 km	5 km
May 30, 1991	5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	33 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2025	10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas	M3.4	71 km	13 km
Apr 4, 2017	3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.4	149 km	15 km
Sep 14, 2016	10 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.3	11 km	5 km
Sep 16, 2016	8 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.3	9 km	5 km
Jul 15, 1992	19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas	M3.3	19 km	5 km
Jul 29, 2021	11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas	M3.3	135 km	5 km
Nov 13, 2001	Kansas	M3.3	131 km	5 km
Apr 7, 2017	5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.2	149 km	15 km
May 24, 2023	12 km S of Alton, Kansas	M3.2	71 km	7 km
Sep 19, 2016	8 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.2	9 km	3 km
Mar 13, 2025	0 km SE of Glen Elder, Kansas	M3.2	125 km	5 km
Jul 5, 2019	Kansas	M3.1	39 km	4 km
Aug 31, 2016	9 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.1	10 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

700 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 192 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 18, 2013	EF4	88 km	7.0 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF4	63 km	11.4 mi	0
Apr 21, 2001	EF4	83 km	5.0 mi	1
May 7, 1993	EF4	90 km	25.5 mi	1
May 10, 1985	EF4	95 km	56.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF4	56 km	33.0 mi	0
Jun 27, 1951	EF4	30 km	0.8 mi	5
May 16, 2017	EF3	94 km	26.6 mi	0
May 24, 2016	EF3	94 km	11.0 mi	0
May 24, 2016	EF3	92 km	7.7 mi	0
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	91 km	3.9 mi	0
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	67 km	11.9 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	46 km	9.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 2005	EF3	40 km	6.0 mi	0
Oct 16, 1998	EF3	22 km	26.0 mi	0
May 16, 1995	EF3	95 km	7.0 mi	0
Apr 11, 1991	EF3	56 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 1990	EF3	38 km	37.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF3	6 km	10.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF3	28 km	30.0 mi	0

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	48 km
2022	NESS/ELLIS COUNTY	14,699	25 km
2022	GARFIELD	8,650	100 km
2017	HODGEMAN COUNTY	8,518	92 km
1989	UNNAMED	6,328	32 km
2006	UNNAMED	5,494	97 km
1996	UNNAMED	4,972	21 km
2017	GORHAM	4,054	47 km
1991	UNNAMED	3,330	76 km
2006	UNNAMED	2,008	99 km
2008	GOVE EAST	1,849	68 km
1991	UNNAMED	1,760	95 km
2017	FELLHOELTER	1,664	54 km
2024	CODELL RD	1,609	37 km
2021	NORTH LAKE	1,530	26 km
2009	CRAIG NALER	1,464	93 km
2010	H-RX-F KIR NON NFP	1,435	87 km
1995	UNNAMED	1,417	97 km
2022	KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX	1,367	85 km
2016	KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS	1,123	87 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	33°F (1°C)	0.6 in
March	42°F (6°C)	1.8 in
April	52°F (11°C)	2.0 in
May	62°F (17°C)	3.0 in
June	73°F (23°C)	3.1 in
July	79°F (26°C)	3.4 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	77°F (25°C)	2.7 in
September	68°F (20°C)	2.1 in
October	56°F (13°C)	1.3 in
November	41°F (5°C)	1.0 in
December	32°F (-0°C)	0.5 in

Ellis has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 30°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.4").

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