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Weather & Climate in New Salem, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
New Salem enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (14°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 305 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 40.7 inches. The area receives 9.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,267 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 56.3°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,267 ft (386 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 65/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.3143°N, 96.8897°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Cowley County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower Ntl (ICT) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 61.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3,845 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Sep 3, 2016 | 14 km NW of Pawnee, Oklahoma | M5.8 | 99 km | 6 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 8 km NNE of Marshall, Oklahoma | M4.6 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2018 | 5 km WNW of Lucien, Oklahoma | M4.6 | 127 km | 6 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jan 31, 2022 | 7 km NW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.5 | 95 km | 8 km |
| Jul 20, 2015 | 7 km SSE of Byron, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 132 km | 4 km |
| May 17, 2019 | 8 km E of Pond Creek, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Jun 9, 2018 | 8 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 121 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 2015 | 6 km ESE of Covington, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 128 km | 6 km |
| Jul 29, 2014 | 9 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Jefferson, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 98 km | 6 km |
| Mar 4, 2018 | 4 km N of Breckinridge, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 120 km | 8 km |
| Feb 5, 2021 | 5 km WNW of Lucien, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 127 km | 7 km |
| Feb 19, 2021 | 6 km SW of Manchester, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 114 km | 7 km |
| Feb 5, 2015 | 8 km NE of Cherokee, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 136 km | 4 km |
| Jan 26, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 89 km | 7 km |
| Jun 21, 2020 | 9 km NW of Perry, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 114 km | 8 km |
| Mar 5, 2018 | 5 km NNW of Breckinridge, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 120 km | 8 km |
| Mar 30, 2014 | 2 km S of Marshall, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 125 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
707 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 144 fatalities, 1,198 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF5 | 55 km | 46.0 mi | 17 |
| May 25, 1955 | EF5 | 75 km | 28.4 mi | 20 |
| May 25, 1955 | EF5 | 54 km | 56.4 mi | 80 |
| May 12, 2004 | EF4 | 97 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1999 | EF4 | 45 km | 24.0 mi | 6 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF4 | 36 km | 25.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 23, 1969 | EF4 | 77 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1958 | EF4 | 61 km | 9.0 mi | 15 |
| Apr 2, 1956 | EF4 | 55 km | 108.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 29, 2022 | EF3 | 44 km | 12.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2018 | EF3 | 75 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2016 | EF3 | 82 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2015 | EF3 | 89 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 83 km | 18.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 48 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2004 | EF3 | 35 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2004 | EF3 | 66 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2004 | EF3 | 63 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 83 km | 45.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 99 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (60,976 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 60,976 | 61 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 32,901 | 82 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 26,655 | 99 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 20,760 | 82 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 20,347 | 59 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 19,648 | 83 km |
| 2014 | RESERVE | 19,016 | 95 km |
| 2018 | WEST 60 | 18,715 | 69 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 17,075 | 90 km |
| 2016 | BAR-DEW LAKE | 14,806 | 93 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,661 | 96 km |
| 2018 | 18-85 | 14,632 | 87 km |
| 2014 | SPIDER | 14,587 | 91 km |
| 2016 | FERGUSON RANCH | 13,625 | 38 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 13,265 | 79 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 13,063 | 70 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 12,241 | 68 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 10,911 | 87 km |
| 2011 | GREYHORSE | 10,411 | 96 km |
| 2015 | Z BAR 7 | 10,170 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (26°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 60°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 1.4 in |
New Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 32°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (1.0").