Weather & Climate in Great Bend, KS

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Great Bend experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°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 27.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 11.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,860 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	54.3°F
	1% above US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,860 ft (567 m)
Area	10.7 sq mi (27.7 km²)
Population Density	1,386/sq mi
Coordinates	38.3598°N, 98.7995°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Barton County County
Nearest Airport	Hays Regional (HYS) 42 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.3"

28% below US avg

Snowfall 11.5"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.94"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	60.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	60.4 / 100
Community Resilience	70.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

269 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	110 km	3 km
Jan 19, 2020	2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.5	81 km	5 km
Aug 16, 2019	3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.2	81 km	5 km
Aug 18, 2019	5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.1	79 km	5 km
Jun 5, 2015	3 km SW of Danville, Kansas	M4.1	144 km	2 km
May 23, 2015	6 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas	M4.0	104 km	5 km
Jun 22, 2017	7 km SE of Harper, Kansas	M3.7	145 km	4 km
Jun 10, 2017	6 km SSE of Harper, Kansas	M3.7	144 km	4 km
Jun 5, 2015	9 km SE of Harper, Kansas	M3.6	146 km	5 km
Feb 10, 2015	4 km NNE of Anthony, Kansas	M3.6	147 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2017	6 km SE of Harper, Kansas	M3.6	144 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2025	9 km S of Hill City, Kansas	M3.5	136 km	11 km
Mar 20, 2022	9 km WNW of Viola, Kansas	M3.5	132 km	2 km
Jul 11, 2017	7 km SE of Harper, Kansas	M3.5	145 km	5 km
Jan 4, 2015	4 km S of Harper, Kansas	M3.5	141 km	5 km
May 30, 1991	5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	107 km	5 km
May 31, 2019	2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	110 km	5 km
Jul 5, 2016	10 km SSW of Spivey, Kansas	M3.5	124 km	5 km
Aug 19, 2016	7 km SSW of Cheney, Kansas	M3.5	124 km	2 km
Jun 5, 2016	5 km NE of Anthony, Kansas	M3.4	148 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

794 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 14 fatalities, 236 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 13, 1990	EF5	95 km	48.0 mi	1
May 18, 2013	EF4	63 km	7.0 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF4	48 km	50.3 mi	0
Apr 21, 2001	EF4	16 km	5.0 mi	1
May 7, 1993	EF4	65 km	25.5 mi	1
Jun 15, 1992	EF4	99 km	6.0 mi	0
Mar 26, 1991	EF4	79 km	13.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1950	EF4	76 km	17.1 mi	1
May 4, 1950	EF4	46 km	34.3 mi	0
May 16, 2017	EF3	26 km	26.6 mi	0
May 24, 2016	EF3	69 km	8.3 mi	0
Jul 13, 2015	EF3	73 km	5.3 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF3	47 km	39.7 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF3	97 km	48.0 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	98 km	9.0 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	99 km	21.9 mi	2
May 23, 2008	EF3	71 km	18.2 mi	0
May 4, 2007	EF3	53 km	17.4 mi	1
May 4, 2007	EF3	91 km	23.5 mi	0
May 4, 2007	EF3	78 km	18.2 mi	1

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FOUR COUNTY (122,971 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	FOUR COUNTY	122,971	83 km
1988	UNNAMED	14,832	84 km
2022	NESS/ELLIS COUNTY	14,699	78 km
1994	UNNAMED	8,987	74 km
2022	GARFIELD	8,650	44 km
2017	HODGEMAN COUNTY	8,518	95 km
1988	SMOKY HILL AIR FORCE RANGE	7,665	93 km
2017	HIGHLANDS	7,418	79 km
2022	COTTONWOOD COMPLEX	6,487	99 km
2008	UNNAMED	6,406	40 km
1989	UNNAMED	6,328	86 km
2018	RICE COUNTY	5,504	75 km
2006	UNNAMED	5,494	83 km
2011	JORDEN SPRINGS	5,488	45 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,168	70 km
1996	UNNAMED	4,972	80 km
1989	UNNAMED	4,558	45 km
2021	BOILING SPRINGS	4,299	36 km
1989	SLEEPER	4,269	32 km
1988	UNNAMED	4,113	93 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	35°F (2°C)	0.8 in
March	44°F (7°C)	1.9 in
April	54°F (12°C)	2.3 in
May	64°F (18°C)	3.6 in
June	74°F (24°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
July	78°F (26°C)	3.3 in	Warmest
August	78°F (26°C)	3.0 in
September	69°F (21°C)	2.3 in
October	57°F (14°C)	2.0 in
November	42°F (6°C)	1.1 in
December	33°F (0°C)	0.9 in

Great Bend has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 30°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.5").

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