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Weather & Climate in Harper, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Harper enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 317 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 33.1 inches. The area receives 11.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,418 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 57.5°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 317 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,418 ft (432 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 735/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.2851°N, 98.0276°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Harper County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower Ntl (ICT) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 31.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 58.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4,709 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Sep 3, 2016 | 14 km NW of Pawnee, Oklahoma | M5.8 | 137 km | 6 km |
| Feb 13, 2016 | 18 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma | M5.1 | 107 km | 8 km |
| Jan 7, 2016 | 16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma | M4.7 | 108 km | 4 km |
| Apr 7, 2018 | 5 km WNW of Lucien, Oklahoma | M4.6 | 120 km | 6 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 8 km NNE of Marshall, Oklahoma | M4.6 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Jul 27, 2015 | 4 km NNE of Crescent, Oklahoma | M4.5 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Jan 31, 2022 | 7 km NW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.5 | 53 km | 8 km |
| Jan 7, 2016 | 17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 110 km | 7 km |
| Jul 9, 2016 | 17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 112 km | 7 km |
| Jan 7, 2016 | 16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 109 km | 7 km |
| Jun 9, 2018 | 8 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 58 km | 10 km |
| May 17, 2019 | 8 km E of Pond Creek, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Jul 20, 2015 | 7 km SSE of Byron, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 53 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2014 | 9 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Jefferson, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 72 km | 6 km |
| Jun 17, 2015 | 6 km ESE of Covington, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 120 km | 6 km |
| Mar 4, 2018 | 4 km N of Breckinridge, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 93 km | 8 km |
| Mar 5, 2018 | 5 km NNW of Breckinridge, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 93 km | 8 km |
| Jul 8, 2016 | 17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 110 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
808 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 131 fatalities, 1,227 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF5 | 53 km | 46.0 mi | 17 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 54 km | 48.0 mi | 1 |
| May 25, 1955 | EF5 | 90 km | 56.4 mi | 80 |
| May 25, 1955 | EF5 | 91 km | 28.4 mi | 20 |
| May 12, 2004 | EF4 | 6 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1999 | EF4 | 56 km | 24.0 mi | 6 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF4 | 81 km | 25.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF4 | 76 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1979 | EF4 | 97 km | 20.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 17, 1976 | EF4 | 51 km | 19.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1969 | EF4 | 53 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 16, 1965 | EF4 | 76 km | 82.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 2022 | EF3 | 83 km | 12.7 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2015 | EF3 | 70 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2012 | EF3 | 17 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2012 | EF3 | 20 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 67 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 25 km | 18.1 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2010 | EF3 | 53 km | 47.7 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 58 km | 21.9 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ANDERSON CREEK FIRE (374,523 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ANDERSON CREEK FIRE | 374,523 | 74 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 88,943 | 88 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 16,448 | 90 km |
| 2016 | BURMAC | 10,668 | 95 km |
| 2008 | LARKIN | 8,397 | 80 km |
| 2022 | COTTONWOOD COMPLEX | 6,487 | 90 km |
| 2006 | TWELTH STREET | 6,282 | 94 km |
| 2020 | EWB | 5,706 | 78 km |
| 2011 | JORDEN SPRINGS | 5,488 | 99 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,168 | 97 km |
| 2008 | BYRON | 5,033 | 46 km |
| 2020 | WHEAT STATE | 4,847 | 94 km |
| 2007 | SALT FORK DELTA | 4,784 | 56 km |
| 2008 | LAKE CITY | 4,643 | 69 km |
| 2007 | AETNA FIRE | 4,579 | 83 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,566 | 83 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 4,558 | 99 km |
| 2018 | OKSLR-FY18-RX-WILDERNESS | 4,432 | 58 km |
| 2011 | TURKEY SPRINGS FIRE | 4,138 | 94 km |
| 2005 | SALT FORK DELTA | 3,980 | 58 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 1.0 in |
Harper has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 34°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.8").