All Countries
Weather & Climate in Lawrence, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lawrence enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 301 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 37.6 inches. The area receives 19.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,024 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.9°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,024 ft (312 m) |
| Area | 34.9 sq mi (90.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,757/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.9600°N, 95.2629°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Douglas County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lawrence Regional (LWC) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 11.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 83.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Sep 16, 2019 | 15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas | M3.8 | 139 km | 5 km |
| May 18, 2005 | Missouri | M3.3 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 13 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M3.2 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 56 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Sep 25, 2024 | 6 km NE of Cedar Point, Kansas | M2.7 | 150 km | 6 km |
| Mar 7, 2023 | 14 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.6 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2015 | 3 km ESE of Clinton, Missouri | M2.6 | 148 km | 2 km |
| Jan 24, 2023 | Kansas | M2.5 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Mar 5, 2023 | 15 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.5 | 149 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 2023 | 15 km WNW of Elmdale, Kansas | M2.5 | 149 km | 8 km |
| Apr 11, 2020 | 13 km E of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.5 | 143 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
619 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 95 fatalities, 1,195 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF5 | 57 km | 21.1 mi | 16 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF5 | 60 km | 69.4 mi | 44 |
| May 28, 2019 | EF4 | 16 km | 29.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | EF4 | 93 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 74 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 39 km | 21.0 mi | 2 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF4 | 88 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF4 | 24 km | 19.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 94 km | 19.4 mi | 3 |
| Aug 6, 1962 | EF4 | 77 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1961 | EF4 | 37 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 64 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 95 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1952 | EF4 | 4 km | 26.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 6, 2017 | EF3 | 89 km | 17.7 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2011 | EF3 | 82 km | 10.1 mi | 1 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 76 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2004 | EF3 | 73 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 60 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1985 | EF3 | 100 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WAGSTAFF (16,111 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | WAGSTAFF | 16,111 | 91 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 15,512 | 83 km |
| 2005 | OAKS | 5,673 | 88 km |
| 2017 | WARREN ROAD | 5,037 | 73 km |
| 2022 | ILLINOIS CREEK | 5,008 | 93 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,244 | 89 km |
| 2004 | KRAUSE | 3,012 | 90 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,836 | 98 km |
| 2020 | BOURBONAIS CREEK | 2,803 | 70 km |
| 2021 | 345 | 2,430 | 63 km |
| 2021 | 400 AND ROAD L | 2,393 | 84 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,377 | 97 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 2,186 | 88 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 2,010 | 74 km |
| 2021 | 4 DELTA 21 | 1,708 | 73 km |
| 2005 | NR STEELE | 1,652 | 98 km |
| 2011 | 182 | 1,575 | 76 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,575 | 64 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 1,408 | 70 km |
| 2009 | KENNEDY CREEK EAST | 1,207 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 in | |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 2.7 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 5.3 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 44°F (6°C) | 2.5 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
Lawrence has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 33°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.5") and February the driest (1.1").