Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Grainfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°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 23.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 20.2 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 2,813 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average
52.5°F
3% below US avg
January Average
29°F (-2°C)
July Average
77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days
326 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
2,813 ft (857 m)
Area
0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density
528/sq mi
Coordinates
39.1143°N, 100.4684°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Sheridan County County
Nearest Airport
Hays Regional (HYS) 67 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall23.5"
38% below US avg
Snowfall20.2"
Wettest Month (May)3.62"
Driest Month (Jan)0.35"
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
64 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
91 km
3 km
Jun 1, 2025
9 km S of Hill City, Kansas
M3.5
58 km
11 km
May 31, 2019
2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas
M3.5
90 km
5 km
May 30, 1991
5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas
M3.5
93 km
5 km
Jun 25, 2025
10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas
M3.4
118 km
13 km
Nov 13, 2001
Kansas
M3.3
101 km
5 km
Sep 16, 2016
8 km N of Ellis, Kansas
M3.3
78 km
5 km
Sep 14, 2016
10 km N of Ellis, Kansas
M3.3
78 km
5 km
Jul 15, 1992
19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas
M3.3
89 km
5 km
May 24, 2023
12 km S of Alton, Kansas
M3.2
134 km
7 km
Sep 19, 2016
8 km N of Ellis, Kansas
M3.2
78 km
3 km
Jul 5, 2019
Kansas
M3.1
91 km
4 km
Sep 16, 2016
8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas
M3.1
77 km
9 km
Aug 31, 2016
9 km N of Ellis, Kansas
M3.1
78 km
5 km
Apr 17, 2003
4 km WNW of Zurich, Kansas
M3.0
86 km
5 km
Jan 7, 1999
5 km WNW of Liebenthal, Kansas
M3.0
106 km
5 km
Aug 11, 2019
4 km E of Catharine, Kansas
M3.0
115 km
5 km
Jul 15, 2025
2 km SW of Zurich, Kansas
M3.0
88 km
12 km
Nov 1, 2002
9 km SSW of Natoma, Kansas
M3.0
119 km
5 km
May 11, 2019
5 km NNW of Zurich, Kansas
M3.0
88 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
596 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 126 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 23, 2008
EF4
25 km
11.4 mi
0
May 10, 1985
EF4
98 km
33.0 mi
0
Jun 27, 1951
EF4
52 km
0.8 mi
5
Jun 20, 2011
EF3
91 km
3.9 mi
0
Jun 20, 2011
EF3
66 km
11.9 mi
0
May 23, 2008
EF3
76 km
9.0 mi
0
Jun 9, 2005
EF3
50 km
6.0 mi
0
Jun 3, 1999
EF3
98 km
10.0 mi
0
Oct 16, 1998
EF3
83 km
26.0 mi
0
Apr 11, 1991
EF3
97 km
6.0 mi
0
Apr 25, 1990
EF3
84 km
37.0 mi
0
May 10, 1985
EF3
75 km
10.0 mi
0
May 10, 1985
EF3
82 km
30.0 mi
0
Apr 30, 1972
EF3
98 km
2.7 mi
0
Apr 30, 1972
EF3
66 km
13.1 mi
0
Apr 30, 1972
EF3
52 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 30, 1972
EF3
73 km
6.8 mi
0
Oct 17, 1971
EF3
74 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 14, 1970
EF3
41 km
17.2 mi
0
Jun 24, 1969
EF3
38 km
47.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: NESS/ELLIS COUNTY (14,699 acres, 2022).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2022
NESS/ELLIS COUNTY
14,699
89 km
1996
UNNAMED
4,972
88 km
2008
GOVE EAST
1,849
30 km
2017
FELLHOELTER
1,664
98 km
2021
NORTH LAKE
1,530
65 km
1995
UNNAMED
1,417
40 km
2020
PRAIRIE DOG
1,257
92 km
1996
UNNAMED
1,154
80 km
1993
UNNAMED
1,029
59 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
33°F (1°C)
0.5 in
March
41°F (5°C)
1.4 in
April
51°F (11°C)
1.8 in
May
61°F (16°C)
3.6 in
Wettest
June
72°F (22°C)
3.1 in
July
77°F (25°C)
3.3 in
Warmest
August
76°F (24°C)
2.7 in
September
67°F (19°C)
1.9 in
October
54°F (12°C)
1.2 in
November
40°F (4°C)
0.8 in
December
31°F (-0°C)
0.5 in
Grainfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 29°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.4").