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Weather & Climate in Hesston, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hesston enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 302 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 33.8 inches. The area receives 8.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,496 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 56.2°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,496 ft (456 m) |
| Area | 3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,050/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.1401°N, 97.4270°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Harvey County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hutchinson Regional (HUT) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 38.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 94.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| 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
1,042 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Jan 31, 2022 | 7 km NW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.5 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Feb 19, 2021 | 6 km SW of Manchester, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Jan 26, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 146 km | 7 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Jun 5, 2015 | 3 km SW of Danville, Kansas | M4.1 | 107 km | 2 km |
| Aug 14, 2015 | 6 km WNW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Mar 29, 2017 | 8 km W of Deer Creek, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 148 km | 3 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.1 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2019 | 4 km ENE of South Haven, Kansas | M4.0 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2014 | 1 km NE of Medford, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Sep 20, 2016 | 6 km NNE of Wakita, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Sep 6, 2016 | 6 km N of Wakita, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 140 km | 4 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas | M3.8 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Dec 16, 2013 | 10 km SE of Freeport, Kansas | M3.8 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2015 | 9 km WNW of Medford, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2019 | 0 km SW of Wakita, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Mar 3, 2015 | 4 km W of Freeport, Kansas | M3.8 | 113 km | 10 km |
| Jan 19, 2015 | 2 km ENE of Medford, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jun 22, 2017 | 7 km SE of Harper, Kansas | M3.7 | 112 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
716 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 48 fatalities, 753 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF5 | 75 km | 46.0 mi | 17 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 66 km | 48.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 1 km | 22.0 mi | 1 |
| May 25, 2016 | EF4 | 95 km | 25.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF4 | 78 km | 50.3 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1999 | EF4 | 91 km | 24.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF4 | 33 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF4 | 58 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1969 | EF4 | 58 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1958 | EF4 | 48 km | 9.0 mi | 15 |
| Jun 8, 1950 | EF4 | 49 km | 17.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 29, 2022 | EF3 | 61 km | 12.7 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 2018 | EF3 | 97 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 6, 2016 | EF3 | 71 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2016 | EF3 | 88 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2015 | EF3 | 50 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2015 | EF3 | 39 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 66 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 71 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 88 km | 15.3 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RD 80 (63,061 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | RD 80 | 63,061 | 91 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 60,976 | 88 km |
| 1998 | ANNUAL BUR | 60,039 | 84 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 26,655 | 72 km |
| 2000 | WEST SIDE MVD | 18,701 | 81 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 15,100 | 69 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 92 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 84 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 13,063 | 89 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 12,241 | 87 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 12,063 | 92 km |
| 2002 | WEST UNIT | 11,187 | 90 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 11,123 | 92 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 10,911 | 85 km |
| 2001 | TALLGRASS 01 | 10,737 | 80 km |
| 2016 | BURMAC | 10,668 | 22 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 9,081 | 87 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,987 | 48 km |
| 2018 | ROCK WALL | 8,468 | 78 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 8,105 | 52 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 in |
Hesston has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 31°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (0.7").