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Weather & Climate in Gem, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 77°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 20.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.7 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 3,090 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.7°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,090 ft (942 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 379/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.4260°N, 100.8972°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Sheridan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK) 56 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 6.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 82.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
54 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 | 129 km | 3 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 131 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 93 km | 11 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 147 km | 13 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2016 | 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas | M3.3 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Sep 19, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.2 | 123 km | 3 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | Kansas | M3.1 | 127 km | 4 km |
| Aug 31, 2016 | 9 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 122 km | 9 km |
| Apr 17, 2003 | 4 km WNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 123 km | 5 km |
| May 11, 2019 | 5 km NNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2025 | 2 km SW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 126 km | 12 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2019 | 2 km E of Zurich, Kansas | M2.9 | 130 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2025 | 3 km SSE of Hill City, Kansas | M2.9 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2021 | Kansas | M2.9 | 124 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
595 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 120 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 23, 2008 | EF4 | 75 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1990 | EF4 | 85 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1951 | EF4 | 98 km | 0.8 mi | 5 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 88 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1982 | EF3 | 81 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF3 | 94 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 60 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF3 | 33 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1969 | EF3 | 83 km | 47.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1965 | EF3 | 22 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1960 | EF3 | 56 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1951 | EF3 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1951 | EF3 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2021 | EF2 | 98 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF2 | 87 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 2017 | EF2 | 91 km | 18.3 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2015 | EF2 | 24 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF2 | 66 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF2 | 34 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHERRY CREEK (4,273 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | CHERRY CREEK | 4,273 | 83 km |
| 2011 | ZWEYGARDT | 2,118 | 93 km |
| 2008 | GOVE EAST | 1,849 | 79 km |
| 2007 | WANO | 1,556 | 84 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,488 | 65 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,417 | 74 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 93 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,154 | 97 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,154 | 71 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,029 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 3.1 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 2.2 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in |
Gem has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 29°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.4").