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Weather & Climate in McDonald, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McDonald experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 326 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 20.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 33.6 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 3,367 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.9°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,367 ft (1,026 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 864/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.7847°N, 101.3702°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Rawlins County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK) 50 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 31.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
14 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 143 km | 11 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2003 | 7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska | M2.9 | 125 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2025 | 3 km SSE of Hill City, Kansas | M2.9 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2002 | 12 km SSW of Lebanon, Nebraska | M2.8 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2025 | 16 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M2.8 | 147 km | 9 km |
| Jul 5, 2025 | 17 km NNE of Collyer, Kansas | M2.7 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Jul 11, 2025 | 2 km E of Hill City, Kansas | M2.7 | 142 km | 9 km |
| Sep 10, 2010 | 8 km WNW of Norton, Kansas | M2.6 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2025 | 6 km SE of Hill City, Kansas | M2.6 | 145 km | 9 km |
| Jul 5, 2025 | 7 km SW of Bogue, Kansas | M2.6 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Jul 5, 2025 | 7 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M2.5 | 143 km | 9 km |
| Aug 29, 2024 | 5 km SE of Hill City, Kansas | M2.5 | 144 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
550 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 36 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 15, 1990 | EF4 | 42 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1982 | EF3 | 85 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 18 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF3 | 80 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1967 | EF3 | 66 km | 40.1 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1965 | EF3 | 67 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1960 | EF3 | 48 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1953 | EF3 | 51 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1951 | EF3 | 1 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1951 | EF3 | 4 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2023 | EF2 | 90 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2021 | EF2 | 44 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF2 | 70 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2016 | EF2 | 82 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2015 | EF2 | 75 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2008 | EF2 | 88 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2007 | EF2 | 37 km | 34.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1996 | EF2 | 97 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1995 | EF2 | 49 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,777 acres, 1997).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 4,777 | 58 km |
| 2019 | CHERRY CREEK | 4,273 | 32 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,535 | 89 km |
| 2011 | ZWEYGARDT | 2,118 | 53 km |
| 2007 | WANO | 1,556 | 34 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,488 | 46 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,476 | 65 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,285 | 77 km |
| 2007 | BRADSHAW | 1,255 | 96 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,154 | 100 km |
| 2022 | COUNTY ROAD 56 | 1,076 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
McDonald has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 30°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.8") and December the driest (0.4").