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Weather & Climate in Hill City, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hill City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 30°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 21.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,176 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 53.9°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,176 ft (663 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 914/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3687°N, 99.8405°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Graham County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hays Regional (HYS) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 42.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
104 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 | 40 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 10 km | 11 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 42 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 58 km | 13 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 148 km | 15 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2016 | 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas | M3.3 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.2 | 149 km | 15 km |
| Mar 13, 2025 | 0 km SE of Glen Elder, Kansas | M3.2 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Sep 19, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.2 | 46 km | 3 km |
| May 24, 2023 | 12 km S of Alton, Kansas | M3.2 | 77 km | 7 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | Kansas | M3.1 | 37 km | 4 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 45 km | 9 km |
| Aug 31, 2016 | 9 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 45 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
594 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 141 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 23, 2008 | EF4 | 61 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 38 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 72 km | 56.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1951 | EF4 | 38 km | 0.8 mi | 5 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 14 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 41 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 60 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 84 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2005 | EF3 | 59 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 51 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1998 | EF3 | 71 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1991 | EF3 | 37 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1990 | EF3 | 84 km | 37.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 35 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 52 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1980 | EF3 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF3 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF3 | 93 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF3 | 60 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1969 | EF3 | 34 km | 47.0 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 | 76 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 702 | 45,166 | 93 km |
| 2022 | NESS/ELLIS COUNTY | 14,699 | 77 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,328 | 63 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 4,972 | 73 km |
| 2017 | GORHAM | 4,054 | 87 km |
| 2008 | GOVE EAST | 1,849 | 71 km |
| 2017 | FELLHOELTER | 1,664 | 39 km |
| 2024 | CODELL RD | 1,609 | 73 km |
| 2021 | NORTH LAKE | 1,530 | 61 km |
| 2010 | H-RX-F KIR NON NFP | 1,435 | 66 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,417 | 96 km |
| 2022 | KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX | 1,367 | 64 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 54 km |
| 2016 | KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS | 1,123 | 63 km |
| 2011 | W-RX-F NON FUNDED TREATMENT_KSKIR | 1,083 | 63 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 63 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,029 | 7 km |
| 2008 | H RX F BOTTOMS | 1,009 | 65 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,009 | 75 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 40°F (4°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in |
Hill City has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 30°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.4").