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Weather & Climate in Fort Dodge, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Dodge enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 323 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 22.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 19.1 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 2,457 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 56.0°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,457 ft (749 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 806/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.7304°N, 99.9370°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Ford County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dodge City Regional (DDC) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 51.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 4.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
87 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Sep 15, 1995 | 7 km NNW of Alva, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 146 km | 5 km |
| May 23, 2015 | 6 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas | M4.0 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2015 | 11 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas | M3.4 | 91 km | 5 km |
| May 23, 2015 | 8 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas | M3.3 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas | M3.3 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Mar 3, 2017 | 11 km S of Freedom, Oklahoma | M3.3 | 139 km | 6 km |
| Sep 14, 2016 | 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 146 km | 5 km |
| May 19, 2017 | 15 km WNW of Alva, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Sep 19, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.2 | 146 km | 3 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 26 km SSE of Protection, Kansas | M3.1 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jul 21, 2017 | 26 km SSE of Protection, Kansas | M3.1 | 97 km | 7 km |
| Aug 31, 2016 | 9 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 28 km SSE of Protection, Kansas | M3.1 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Jun 8, 2017 | 15 km WNW of Alva, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Feb 16, 2018 | 28 km ENE of Buffalo, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 101 km | 3 km |
| Jan 7, 1999 | 5 km WNW of Liebenthal, Kansas | M3.0 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jun 11, 2015 | 16 km WNW of Alva, Oklahoma | M3.0 | 137 km | 3 km |
| Aug 11, 2019 | 4 km E of Catharine, Kansas | M3.0 | 149 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
701 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 13 fatalities, 126 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 4, 2007 | EF5 | 60 km | 28.8 mi | 11 |
| May 18, 2013 | EF4 | 62 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF4 | 41 km | 26.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1955 | EF4 | 29 km | 72.2 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1950 | EF4 | 79 km | 34.3 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF3 | 46 km | 29.6 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 96 km | 26.6 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 31 km | 14.7 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 18 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 60 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 60 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 53 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 51 km | 48.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 95 km | 39.7 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 47 km | 20.9 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 79 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 98 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 61 km | 23.5 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 76 km | 18.2 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 89 km | 17.4 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OKS - STARBUCK (657,299 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | OKS - STARBUCK | 657,299 | 72 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 23,123 | 82 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 16,448 | 88 km |
| 2016 | BUFFALO | 16,160 | 95 km |
| 2022 | 23 AND DD | 8,885 | 90 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 8,750 | 71 km |
| 2022 | GARFIELD | 8,650 | 78 km |
| 2017 | HODGEMAN COUNTY | 8,518 | 47 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 5,764 | 54 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 5,494 | 44 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,168 | 86 km |
| 2006 | HODGEMAN WEST | 4,051 | 48 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 3,967 | 51 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 3,613 | 82 km |
| 2010 | MILLER | 3,567 | 56 km |
| 2022 | MILLER RANCH | 3,563 | 52 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 3,519 | 57 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 3,187 | 85 km |
| 2017 | 2017-117 | 3,103 | 95 km |
| 2008 | LEXINGTON | 3,076 | 60 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 44°F (6°C) | 1.8 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 2.7 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 0.7 in |
Fort Dodge has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 33°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.5").