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Weather & Climate in Emporia, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Emporia experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 78°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 35.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,142 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 53.8°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,142 ft (348 m) |
| Area | 12.0 sq mi (31.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,936/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.4029°N, 96.1929°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lyon County County |
| Nearest Airport | Topeka Regional (FOE) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 20.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
81 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Sep 16, 2019 | 15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas | M3.8 | 49 km | 5 km |
| May 15, 2025 | 5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas | M3.5 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Oct 10, 2024 | 6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas | M3.5 | 84 km | 10 km |
| Mar 12, 2020 | 6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.5 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.5 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 5 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.5 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 3 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.4 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Aug 2, 2025 | 6 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas | M3.4 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Mar 24, 2020 | 8 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.3 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2023 | 6 km N of Bennington, Kansas | M3.3 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 7 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas | M3.3 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Aug 4, 2025 | 5 km E of Assaria, Kansas | M3.3 | 121 km | 10 km |
| Mar 15, 2021 | 4 km NE of Eastborough, Kansas | M3.2 | 119 km | 5 km |
| May 8, 2021 | 2 km E of Hope, Kansas | M3.2 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 13 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M3.2 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2019 | 5 km NNE of Kipp, Kansas | M3.2 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 11 km E of Marion, Kansas | M3.2 | 61 km | 5 km |
| May 8, 2021 | 4 km ENE of Hope, Kansas | M3.2 | 80 km | 4 km |
| Jul 4, 2020 | 5 km W of Kipp, Kansas | M3.1 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2019 | 2 km ENE of New Cambria, Kansas | M3.1 | 124 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
572 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 106 fatalities, 1,189 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF5 | 62 km | 21.1 mi | 16 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF5 | 61 km | 69.4 mi | 44 |
| May 28, 2019 | EF4 | 87 km | 29.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF4 | 93 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1974 | EF4 | 3 km | 37.5 mi | 6 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 84 km | 19.4 mi | 3 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 89 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 84 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1958 | EF4 | 95 km | 9.0 mi | 15 |
| Jun 26, 2018 | EF3 | 67 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2016 | EF3 | 54 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2011 | EF3 | 20 km | 10.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 96 km | 15.3 mi | 1 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 43 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 70 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 73 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1985 | EF3 | 48 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1983 | EF3 | 62 km | 19.0 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF3 | 84 km | 31.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1971 | EF3 | 58 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RD 80 (63,061 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | RD 80 | 63,061 | 32 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 60,976 | 75 km |
| 1998 | ANNUAL BUR | 60,039 | 33 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 26,655 | 44 km |
| 2000 | WEST SIDE MVD | 18,701 | 37 km |
| 2016 | BURLEY HILL | 16,381 | 79 km |
| 2023 | WAGSTAFF | 16,111 | 50 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 15,512 | 42 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 15,100 | 44 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 20 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,661 | 54 km |
| 2018 | 18-85 | 14,632 | 78 km |
| 2010 | RANGE 51 | 13,760 | 97 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 13,063 | 66 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 12,241 | 68 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 12,063 | 21 km |
| 2002 | WEST UNIT | 11,187 | 33 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 11,123 | 28 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 10,911 | 49 km |
| 2001 | TALLGRASS 01 | 10,737 | 36 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 3.8 in | |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 1.1 in |
Emporia has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 29°F in January to 78°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 35.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.6") and January the driest (0.9").