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Weather & Climate in Kelso, MO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kelso enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 251 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 47.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 440 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 56.9°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 251 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 440 ft (134 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,913/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.1906°N, 89.5495°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| Nearest Airport | Cape Girardeau Regional (CGI) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Earthquake History
373 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Sep 26, 1990 | 4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri | M4.8 | 7 km | 1 km |
| May 4, 1991 | 2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri | M4.5 | 73 km | 11 km |
| Feb 5, 1994 | 2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois | M4.2 | 38 km | 16 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 116 km | 15 km |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 60 km | 3 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 142 km | 24 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri | M3.9 | 37 km | 8 km |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.8 | 145 km | 19 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 110 km | 8 km |
| Mar 2, 2010 | 2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri | M3.7 | 48 km | 8 km |
| Apr 24, 2019 | 12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.7 | 118 km | 14 km |
| Jan 16, 2018 | 4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri | M3.6 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Jan 2, 2006 | 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois | M3.6 | 123 km | 7 km |
| Jun 20, 2005 | 4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.6 | 57 km | 19 km |
| Apr 2, 2015 | 1 km WNW of Cooter, Missouri | M3.6 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Sep 22, 2011 | 6 km E of Grandin, Missouri | M3.6 | 114 km | 11 km |
| Mar 15, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.6 | 51 km | 8 km |
| Jan 8, 1993 | 6 km WSW of Gosnell, Arkansas | M3.5 | 147 km | 22 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.5 | 49 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
577 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 120 fatalities, 1,503 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 87 km | 168.5 mi | 57 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF4 | 72 km | 53.5 mi | 1 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF4 | 97 km | 26.1 mi | 8 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF4 | 60 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF4 | 47 km | 33.0 mi | 2 |
| May 29, 1982 | EF4 | 77 km | 17.0 mi | 10 |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF4 | 57 km | 28.3 mi | 11 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 64 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 46 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2021 | EF3 | 95 km | 16.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2021 | EF3 | 84 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2016 | EF3 | 86 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 25 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 60 km | 42.5 mi | 3 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF3 | 65 km | 20.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF3 | 66 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2006 | EF3 | 81 km | 53.5 mi | 2 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 100 km | 44.0 mi | 1 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF3 | 24 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 76 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WYLIE KING 1 (6,077 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | WYLIE KING 1 | 6,077 | 95 km |
| 2021 | MILLER KING | 4,130 | 98 km |
| 2021 | VICTORY 1-7 | 3,237 | 95 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,286 | 93 km |
| 2021 | RED SHALE UNIT RX | 2,123 | 68 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,627 | 31 km |
| 2019 | ATWOOD RIDGE RX | 1,622 | 31 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,510 | 90 km |
| 2024 | ESSMAN SPRING RX | 1,495 | 94 km |
| 2021 | BEATTY BRANCH RX | 1,396 | 93 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 18 km |
| 2024 | RED SHALE RX | 1,259 | 67 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,257 | 22 km |
| 2021 | OZARK HILL PRAIRIE RX | 1,235 | 22 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 1,232 | 97 km |
| 2019 | KINKAID RX | 1,215 | 70 km |
| 2022 | KINKAID STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA RX | 1,115 | 70 km |
| 2024 | PINE HOLLOW RX | 1,038 | 85 km |
| 2021 | ROCKY BRANCH RX | 1,033 | 93 km |
| 2021 | STATE OF ILLINOIS TRACT RX | 1,011 | 75 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 71°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 4.3 in |
Kelso has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 32°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (3.0").