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Weather & Climate in Liberal, MO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Liberal enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 255 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 44.4 inches. The area receives 1.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 906 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 56.5°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 255 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 906 ft (276 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 924/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5581°N, 94.5200°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| Nearest Airport | Joplin Regional (JLN) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.
| May 18, 2005 | Missouri | M3.3 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2001 | 1 km SW of Hermitage, Missouri | M3.1 | 113 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2010 | 2 km SW of Centerton, Arkansas | M2.6 | 136 km | 1 km |
| Apr 4, 2015 | 3 km ESE of Clinton, Missouri | M2.6 | 112 km | 2 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 3 km SW of Centerton, Arkansas | M2.5 | 137 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
538 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 224 fatalities, 2,049 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2011 | EF5 | 57 km | 21.6 mi | 158 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF4 | 83 km | 75.5 mi | 21 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | EF4 | 82 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 53 km | 33.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF4 | 81 km | 11.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 93 km | 19.4 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 96 km | 41.8 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 51 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 38 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 91 km | 42.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 21, 2005 | EF3 | 75 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 65 km | 25.0 mi | 5 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 76 km | 49.0 mi | 7 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 1 km | 86.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 19, 2000 | EF3 | 99 km | 34.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 70 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1995 | EF3 | 31 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1983 | EF3 | 21 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 29 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 25 km | 70.0 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (3,427 acres, 1986).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 3,427 | 73 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,043 | 36 km |
| 2005 | NR STEELE | 1,652 | 75 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,539 | 55 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,523 | 92 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,356 | 74 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,346 | 40 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,305 | 80 km |
| 2006 | GRAND | 1,067 | 54 km |
| 1984 | RESIDENT | 1,048 | 65 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 912 | 95 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 867 | 98 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 860 | 72 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 802 | 60 km |
| 2009 | REYNOLDS HOLLOW | 728 | 99 km |
| 2006 | SALT CREEK MARSH | 720 | 83 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 636 | 85 km |
| 2012 | FANCY FENCE | 626 | 93 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 624 | 81 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 581 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 1.9 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 65°F (19°C) | 5.2 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 2.3 in |
Liberal has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 31°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.6") and January the driest (1.6").