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Weather & Climate in Howard, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Howard enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 79°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 38.6 inches. The area receives 6.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,039 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 55.8°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 317 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,039 ft (317 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 779/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.4694°N, 96.2630°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Elk County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower Ntl (ICT) 65 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 14.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 81.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 29.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,130 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 | 130 km | 6 km |
| Jan 26, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 145 km | 7 km |
| Jun 5, 2015 | 3 km SW of Danville, Kansas | M4.1 | 148 km | 2 km |
| Mar 29, 2017 | 8 km W of Deer Creek, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 140 km | 3 km |
| Jan 16, 2019 | 4 km ENE of South Haven, Kansas | M4.0 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2014 | 1 km NE of Medford, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jun 8, 2016 | 13 km NNW of Pawnee, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 127 km | 7 km |
| Sep 24, 2017 | 10 km SSE of Red Rock, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 144 km | 7 km |
| Dec 16, 2013 | 10 km SE of Freeport, Kansas | M3.8 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 2015 | 2 km ENE of Medford, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Mar 3, 2015 | 4 km W of Freeport, Kansas | M3.8 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas | M3.8 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Mar 24, 2015 | 8 km NNW of Caldwell, Kansas | M3.7 | 129 km | 6 km |
| Jan 23, 2015 | 8 km NNW of Caldwell, Kansas | M3.7 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Mar 16, 2014 | 3 km WSW of Freeport, Kansas | M3.7 | 148 km | 3 km |
| Apr 10, 2014 | 5 km E of Morrison, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 145 km | 8 km |
| Jun 22, 2020 | 6 km N of Nardin, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2015 | 3 km NE of Renfrow, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Sep 9, 2016 | 4 km ENE of Morrison, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Mar 24, 2015 | 11 km NW of Morrison, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 145 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
576 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 22 fatalities, 290 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF4 | 90 km | 25.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 10, 1958 | EF4 | 79 km | 9.0 mi | 15 |
| Apr 2, 1956 | EF4 | 96 km | 108.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 29, 2022 | EF3 | 84 km | 12.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2018 | EF3 | 38 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2016 | EF3 | 57 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 96 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2005 | EF3 | 81 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2004 | EF3 | 85 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 46 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2000 | EF3 | 69 km | 34.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 14 km | 14.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 35 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF3 | 50 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 62 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 89 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Oct 15, 1980 | EF3 | 46 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 1979 | EF3 | 70 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF3 | 63 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1965 | EF3 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
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 | 78 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 60,976 | 42 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 51,112 | 81 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 36,112 | 93 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 32,901 | 72 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 26,655 | 84 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 20,760 | 25 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 20,347 | 57 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 19,648 | 62 km |
| 2018 | WEST 60 | 18,715 | 78 km |
| 2015 | WOLF CREEK | 18,077 | 83 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 17,075 | 72 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 15,100 | 92 km |
| 2023 | HWY 123 | 14,980 | 92 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 97 km |
| 2016 | BAR-DEW LAKE | 14,806 | 74 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,661 | 52 km |
| 2018 | 18-85 | 14,632 | 33 km |
| 2016 | FERGUSON RANCH | 13,625 | 23 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 13,265 | 22 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 2.8 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 1.6 in |
Howard has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 32°F in January to 79°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 37.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.3") and January the driest (1.1").