Weather & Climate in Oakley, KS

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

Oakley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 77°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 20.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.7 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 3,051 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	51.7°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,051 ft (930 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²)
Population Density	1,056/sq mi
Coordinates	39.1235°N, 100.8450°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Sheridan County County
Nearest Airport	Mc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK) 76 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.7"

46% below US avg

Snowfall 25.7"

Wettest Month (May) 3.35"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	6.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	82.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

58 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Jun 22, 2019	2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas	M4.6	123 km	3 km
Jun 1, 2025	9 km S of Hill City, Kansas	M3.5	89 km	11 km
May 31, 2019	2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	122 km	5 km
May 30, 1991	5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	125 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2025	10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas	M3.4	149 km	13 km
Nov 13, 2001	Kansas	M3.3	111 km	5 km
Sep 16, 2016	8 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.3	110 km	5 km
Sep 14, 2016	10 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.3	111 km	5 km
Jul 15, 1992	19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas	M3.3	119 km	5 km
Sep 19, 2016	8 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.2	110 km	3 km
Jul 5, 2019	Kansas	M3.1	123 km	4 km
Sep 16, 2016	8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas	M3.1	110 km	9 km
Aug 31, 2016	9 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.1	111 km	5 km
Apr 17, 2003	4 km WNW of Zurich, Kansas	M3.0	118 km	5 km
Jan 7, 1999	5 km WNW of Liebenthal, Kansas	M3.0	136 km	5 km
Aug 11, 2019	4 km E of Catharine, Kansas	M3.0	147 km	5 km
Jul 15, 2025	2 km SW of Zurich, Kansas	M3.0	120 km	12 km
May 11, 2019	5 km NNW of Zurich, Kansas	M3.0	119 km	5 km
May 31, 2025	3 km SSE of Hill City, Kansas	M2.9	91 km	5 km
Feb 14, 2003	7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska	M2.9	142 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

638 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 130 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 23, 2008	EF4	52 km	11.4 mi	0
Jun 27, 1951	EF4	84 km	0.8 mi	5
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	93 km	11.9 mi	0
Jun 9, 2005	EF3	79 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 1999	EF3	95 km	4.0 mi	0
May 19, 1982	EF3	76 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1972	EF3	95 km	6.8 mi	0
Apr 30, 1972	EF3	61 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1972	EF3	78 km	13.1 mi	0
Oct 17, 1971	EF3	41 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 17, 1971	EF3	92 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 14, 1970	EF3	49 km	17.2 mi	0
Jun 24, 1969	EF3	70 km	47.0 mi	0
May 13, 1968	EF3	82 km	140.4 mi	0
May 4, 1965	EF3	47 km	5.2 mi	0
May 4, 1960	EF3	67 km	7.1 mi	0
Jul 20, 1958	EF3	98 km	3.3 mi	0
May 20, 1951	EF3	86 km	0.1 mi	0
May 14, 1951	EF3	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 2, 2017	EF2	58 km	18.3 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GOVE EAST (1,849 acres, 2008).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2008	GOVE EAST	1,849	53 km
2021	NORTH LAKE	1,530	95 km
2002	UNNAMED	1,488	99 km
1995	UNNAMED	1,417	41 km
2007	BRADSHAW	1,255	98 km
2006	UNNAMED	1,154	87 km
1996	UNNAMED	1,154	51 km
1993	UNNAMED	1,029	90 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	33°F (1°C)	0.4 in
March	41°F (5°C)	1.2 in
April	51°F (10°C)	1.7 in
May	61°F (16°C)	3.4 in	Wettest
June	71°F (22°C)	3.0 in
July	77°F (25°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	75°F (24°C)	2.3 in
September	66°F (19°C)	1.7 in
October	54°F (12°C)	1.1 in
November	39°F (4°C)	0.8 in
December	31°F (-1°C)	0.4 in

Oakley has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 29°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.4").

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