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Weather & Climate in Ellsworth, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ellsworth experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 80°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 30.8 inches. The area receives 16.2 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 1,545 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 54.7°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,545 ft (471 m) |
| Area | 2.4 sq mi (6.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,296/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.7326°N, 98.2286°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Ellsworth County County |
| Nearest Airport | Salina Regional (SLN) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 15.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 20.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 50.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
243 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 | 117 km | 3 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.1 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas | M3.8 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.8 | 140 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 112 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.5 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Oct 10, 2024 | 6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas | M3.5 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Mar 12, 2020 | 6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.5 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 5 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.5 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2022 | 9 km WNW of Viola, Kansas | M3.5 | 142 km | 2 km |
| May 15, 2025 | 5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas | M3.5 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Aug 19, 2016 | 7 km SSW of Cheney, Kansas | M3.5 | 135 km | 2 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 111 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 114 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
740 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 13 fatalities, 269 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 95 km | 22.0 mi | 1 |
| May 25, 2016 | EF4 | 75 km | 25.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF4 | 36 km | 50.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2001 | EF4 | 54 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF4 | 31 km | 25.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF4 | 63 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF4 | 76 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF4 | 86 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF4 | 84 km | 44.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1955 | EF4 | 91 km | 61.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1950 | EF4 | 52 km | 17.1 mi | 1 |
| May 1, 2018 | EF3 | 38 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 91 km | 26.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 6, 2016 | EF3 | 66 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2015 | EF3 | 64 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 56 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 99 km | 15.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 48 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2008 | EF3 | 82 km | 18.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 70 km | 3.0 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 | 80 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 22 km |
| 2016 | BURMAC | 10,668 | 87 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,987 | 62 km |
| 1988 | SMOKY HILL AIR FORCE RANGE | 7,665 | 35 km |
| 2017 | HIGHLANDS | 7,418 | 67 km |
| 2022 | COTTONWOOD COMPLEX | 6,487 | 87 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 6,406 | 63 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,328 | 94 km |
| 2006 | TWELTH STREET | 6,282 | 88 km |
| 2018 | RICE COUNTY | 5,504 | 58 km |
| 2011 | JORDEN SPRINGS | 5,488 | 69 km |
| 2016 | TAMPA | 4,993 | 88 km |
| 2020 | WHEAT STATE | 4,847 | 89 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 4,558 | 68 km |
| 2021 | BOILING SPRINGS | 4,299 | 72 km |
| 1989 | SLEEPER | 4,269 | 65 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,113 | 35 km |
| 2017 | GORHAM | 4,054 | 71 km |
| 2010 | BIG SALT MARSH | 3,960 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.8 in |
Ellsworth has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 30°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.6").