Weather & Climate in Liberal, KS

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Liberal enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 323 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 21.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 14.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,851 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	55.8°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,851 ft (869 m)
Area	11.8 sq mi (30.4 km²)
Population Density	1,590/sq mi
Coordinates	37.0461°N, 100.9277°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Seward County County
Nearest Airport	Liberal Mid-America Regional (LBL) 2 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.1"

44% below US avg

Snowfall 14.4"

Wettest Month (May) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	42.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	50.5 / 100
Community Resilience	3.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

42 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Apr 14, 2021	34 km NNE of Skellytown, Texas	M4.3	133 km	8 km
May 25, 2021	3 km WNW of Shattuck, Oklahoma	M4.1	124 km	8 km
Feb 16, 2018	28 km ENE of Buffalo, Oklahoma	M3.1	141 km	3 km
Aug 15, 2017	26 km SSE of Protection, Kansas	M3.1	139 km	5 km
Aug 15, 2017	28 km SSE of Protection, Kansas	M3.1	141 km	5 km
Jul 21, 2017	26 km SSE of Protection, Kansas	M3.1	137 km	7 km
Oct 13, 2017	7 km W of Buffalo, Oklahoma	M3.0	110 km	4 km
Oct 25, 1999	2 km WNW of Buffalo, Oklahoma	M3.0	115 km	26 km
Mar 16, 2018	22 km NE of Fort Supply, Oklahoma	M3.0	142 km	4 km
May 14, 2013	8 km SE of Canadian, Texas	M2.9	143 km	5 km
Jul 24, 2017	26 km SSE of Protection, Kansas	M2.9	138 km	3 km
Oct 25, 2017	23 km NE of Buffalo, Oklahoma	M2.9	134 km	8 km
Jan 21, 2018	27 km ENE of Buffalo, Oklahoma	M2.9	139 km	6 km
Aug 12, 2019	26 km ENE of Buffalo, Oklahoma	M2.9	138 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2018	23 km NE of Fort Supply, Oklahoma	M2.8	143 km	4 km
Mar 17, 2018	22 km NE of Fort Supply, Oklahoma	M2.8	142 km	1 km
Mar 23, 1995	7 km NNE of Buffalo, Oklahoma	M2.8	119 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2017	6 km N of Buffalo, Oklahoma	M2.8	116 km	3 km
Jan 25, 2018	26 km NW of Freedom, Oklahoma	M2.8	145 km	0 km
Feb 27, 2012	25 km WSW of Lipscomb, Texas	M2.8	105 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

567 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 189 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1993	EF4	32 km	23.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 1971	EF4	96 km	15.9 mi	0
Jun 4, 1955	EF4	93 km	72.2 mi	0
Jun 15, 2023	EF3	71 km	6.3 mi	3
May 23, 2019	EF3	96 km	15.7 mi	0
May 17, 2019	EF3	78 km	29.6 mi	0
May 24, 2016	EF3	87 km	14.7 mi	0
Nov 16, 2015	EF3	7 km	51.3 mi	0
May 26, 1996	EF3	60 km	28.0 mi	0
May 26, 1996	EF3	16 km	13.0 mi	0
May 16, 1995	EF3	93 km	10.0 mi	0
May 5, 1993	EF3	42 km	18.5 mi	0
May 5, 1993	EF3	73 km	12.0 mi	0
May 15, 1991	EF3	95 km	11.5 mi	0
May 31, 1990	EF3	98 km	14.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1989	EF3	17 km	12.0 mi	0
May 25, 1987	EF3	87 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1978	EF3	87 km	14.4 mi	0
Jun 21, 1974	EF3	27 km	2.7 mi	0
Sep 25, 1973	EF3	75 km	5.7 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OKS - STARBUCK (657,299 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	OKS - STARBUCK	657,299	92 km
2024	SLAPOUT FIRE	23,810	90 km
1996	UNNAMED	23,123	53 km
2020	412 FIRE	22,069	48 km
2022	BEAVER RIVER FIRE	20,512	36 km
2011	TUNNER	17,774	79 km
2022	23 AND DD	8,885	42 km
2006	UNNAMED	8,750	51 km
2006	UNNAMED	7,815	73 km
2021	COBB FIRE	7,142	71 km
2011	HASKELL COUNTY	6,736	42 km
1997	BUOY LINE	6,118	46 km
2016	OPTIMA	5,084	42 km
2002	UNNAMED	3,967	84 km
2017	BLACK MONDAY	3,376	12 km
2000	UNNAMED	3,303	91 km
2017	OKS - BEAVER	3,168	49 km
2017	2017-117	3,103	91 km
2022	23 FIRE	2,704	43 km
2006	UNNAMED	2,605	99 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	0.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	38°F (3°C)	0.6 in
March	45°F (7°C)	1.5 in
April	55°F (13°C)	1.6 in
May	65°F (18°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
June	75°F (24°C)	2.9 in
July	79°F (26°C)	2.7 in	Warmest
August	78°F (26°C)	2.4 in
September	69°F (21°C)	1.8 in
October	57°F (14°C)	1.3 in
November	43°F (6°C)	0.9 in
December	35°F (1°C)	0.6 in

Liberal has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 34°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.5").

View full profile of Liberal, KS →