Weather & Climate in Hays, KS

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

Hays enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 80°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 24.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 12.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,019 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	55.6°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	32°F (0°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,019 ft (615 m)
Area	8.0 sq mi (20.6 km²)
Population Density	2,412/sq mi
Coordinates	38.8822°N, 99.3222°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Ellis County County
Nearest Airport	Hays Regional (HYS) 4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.8"

35% below US avg

Snowfall 12.9"

Wettest Month (Jul) 3.50"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	32.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	78.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

145 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	38 km	3 km
Aug 18, 2019	5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.1	150 km	5 km
Jun 12, 2017	5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.7	138 km	5 km
Jun 12, 2017	8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas	M3.7	141 km	5 km
Jun 13, 2017	6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.6	138 km	5 km
May 6, 2021	5 km S of Formoso, Kansas	M3.6	148 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2025	9 km S of Hill City, Kansas	M3.5	62 km	11 km
May 31, 2019	2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	38 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2021	Kansas	M3.5	123 km	5 km
May 30, 1991	5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	36 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2025	10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas	M3.4	71 km	13 km
May 21, 2017	7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.4	141 km	16 km
Apr 4, 2017	3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.4	138 km	15 km
Sep 14, 2016	10 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.3	27 km	5 km
Sep 16, 2016	8 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.3	26 km	5 km
Apr 7, 2017	7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.3	141 km	13 km
Jul 15, 1992	19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas	M3.3	24 km	5 km
Jul 29, 2021	11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas	M3.3	125 km	5 km
Nov 13, 2001	Kansas	M3.3	145 km	5 km
Mar 13, 2025	0 km SE of Glen Elder, Kansas	M3.2	111 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

738 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 200 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 18, 2013	EF4	83 km	7.0 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF4	84 km	11.4 mi	0
Apr 21, 2001	EF4	63 km	5.0 mi	1
May 7, 1993	EF4	70 km	25.5 mi	1
May 10, 1985	EF4	95 km	56.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF4	60 km	33.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1955	EF4	98 km	61.9 mi	0
Jun 27, 1951	EF4	51 km	0.8 mi	5
May 4, 1950	EF4	96 km	34.3 mi	0
May 16, 2017	EF3	81 km	26.6 mi	0
May 24, 2016	EF3	99 km	7.7 mi	0
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	83 km	11.9 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	57 km	9.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 2005	EF3	59 km	6.0 mi	0
Oct 16, 1998	EF3	31 km	26.0 mi	0
May 16, 1995	EF3	93 km	7.0 mi	0
Apr 11, 1991	EF3	62 km	6.0 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF3	83 km	26.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 1990	EF3	46 km	37.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF3	37 km	30.0 mi	0

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	33 km
2022	NESS/ELLIS COUNTY	14,699	30 km
2022	GARFIELD	8,650	89 km
2017	HODGEMAN COUNTY	8,518	94 km
1989	UNNAMED	6,328	21 km
2006	UNNAMED	5,494	96 km
1996	UNNAMED	4,972	26 km
2017	GORHAM	4,054	27 km
1991	UNNAMED	3,330	55 km
2015	190TH	3,024	99 km
2006	UNNAMED	2,008	88 km
2008	GOVE EAST	1,849	88 km
1991	UNNAMED	1,760	75 km
2017	FELLHOELTER	1,664	58 km
2024	CODELL RD	1,609	21 km
2021	NORTH LAKE	1,530	43 km
2009	CRAIG NALER	1,464	75 km
2010	H-RX-F KIR NON NFP	1,435	88 km
2022	KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX	1,367	85 km
2016	KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS	1,123	89 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (0°C)	0.5 in	Driest
February	33°F (1°C)	0.6 in
March	42°F (6°C)	2.0 in
April	53°F (11°C)	2.2 in
May	63°F (17°C)	3.2 in
June	73°F (23°C)	3.1 in
July	80°F (27°C)	3.5 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	77°F (25°C)	2.9 in
September	68°F (20°C)	2.2 in
October	56°F (13°C)	1.5 in
November	41°F (5°C)	1.1 in
December	32°F (-0°C)	0.6 in	Coldest

Hays has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 32°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.5").

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