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Weather & Climate in Fort Scott, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Scott enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 305 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 44.5 inches. The area receives 8.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 849 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 57.0°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 849 ft (259 m) |
| Area | 5.6 sq mi (14.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,353/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.8280°N, 94.7041°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Bourbon County County |
| Nearest Airport | Joplin Regional (JLN) 45 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 35.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 52.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 58.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.
| May 18, 2005 | Missouri | M3.3 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2001 | 1 km SW of Hermitage, Missouri | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2015 | 3 km ESE of Clinton, Missouri | M2.6 | 103 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
483 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 252 fatalities, 2,039 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2011 | EF5 | 87 km | 21.6 mi | 158 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF5 | 98 km | 69.4 mi | 44 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF4 | 100 km | 75.5 mi | 21 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | EF4 | 48 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 57 km | 33.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 62 km | 19.4 mi | 3 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 80 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 71 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Apr 21, 2005 | EF3 | 73 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 86 km | 25.0 mi | 5 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 33 km | 86.0 mi | 5 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 70 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1995 | EF3 | 21 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1983 | EF3 | 44 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 57 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 34 km | 70.0 mi | 2 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF3 | 68 km | 29.8 mi | 2 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 82 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1971 | EF3 | 84 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,089 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,089 | 97 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,043 | 13 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,823 | 94 km |
| 2005 | NR STEELE | 1,652 | 45 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,539 | 34 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,356 | 83 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,346 | 60 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,305 | 79 km |
| 2006 | GRAND | 1,067 | 34 km |
| 1984 | RESIDENT | 1,048 | 94 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 860 | 77 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 802 | 62 km |
| 2006 | SALT CREEK MARSH | 720 | 83 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 636 | 83 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 624 | 78 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 515 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 1.8 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 65°F (19°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.8 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 2.0 in |
Fort Scott has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 32°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.6") and January the driest (1.5").