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Weather & Climate in Hepler, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hepler enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 305 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 45.6 inches. The area receives 6.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 998 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 56.6°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 998 ft (304 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 118/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.6634°N, 94.9700°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Crawford County County |
| Nearest Airport | Joplin Regional (JLN) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 71.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 51.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.
| May 18, 2005 | Missouri | M3.3 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2001 | 1 km SW of Hermitage, Missouri | M3.1 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jan 14, 2016 | 7 km W of Talala, Oklahoma | M2.7 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2015 | 3 km ESE of Clinton, Missouri | M2.6 | 133 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
512 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 259 fatalities, 2,186 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2011 | EF5 | 76 km | 21.6 mi | 158 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF5 | 99 km | 69.4 mi | 44 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF4 | 75 km | 75.5 mi | 21 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | EF4 | 53 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 29 km | 33.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF4 | 99 km | 11.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 59 km | 19.4 mi | 3 |
| Sep 27, 1959 | EF4 | 94 km | 20.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 99 km | 41.8 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 69 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 76 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Apr 21, 2005 | EF3 | 43 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 88 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 65 km | 25.0 mi | 5 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 41 km | 86.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 19, 2000 | EF3 | 71 km | 34.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 98 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1995 | EF3 | 48 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 98 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1983 | EF3 | 35 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
15 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (20,760 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 20,760 | 92 km |
| 2018 | 18-85 | 14,632 | 95 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 13,265 | 95 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 8,678 | 97 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 4,424 | 92 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 3,427 | 88 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,043 | 17 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,823 | 76 km |
| 2015 | VOLZ FIRE | 1,662 | 82 km |
| 2005 | NR STEELE | 1,652 | 69 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,539 | 16 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,346 | 79 km |
| 2006 | GRAND | 1,067 | 15 km |
| 1984 | RESIDENT | 1,048 | 81 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 802 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 1.7 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 65°F (19°C) | 5.3 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.8 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 1.9 in |
Hepler has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 32°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.6") and January the driest (1.5").