Weather & Climate in Osawatomie, KS

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

Osawatomie experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.9 inches. The area receives 8.4 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 870 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average55.0°F
2% above US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Geography

Elevation870 ft (265 m)
Area5.1 sq mi (13.2 km²)
Population Density822/sq mi
Coordinates38.4999°N, 94.9459°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMiami County County
Nearest AirportLawrence Regional (LWC)
38 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.9"
2% above US avg
Snowfall 8.4"
Wettest Month (May) 5.51"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.14"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score43.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability12.2 / 100
Community Resilience80.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane No Rating
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.

May 18, 2005 Missouri M3.3 85 km 5 km
Mar 23, 2007 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas M3.1 113 km 5 km
May 13, 1999 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas M3.0 70 km 5 km
Apr 4, 2015 3 km ESE of Clinton, Missouri M2.6 106 km 2 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

540 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 94 fatalities, 1,064 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 8, 1966 EF5 97 km 21.1 mi 16
May 20, 1957 EF5 49 km 69.4 mi 44
May 28, 2019 EF4 52 km 29.1 mi 0
Feb 28, 2007 EF4 43 km 28.0 mi 0
May 4, 2003 EF4 64 km 21.0 mi 2
May 4, 2003 EF4 91 km 5.0 mi 0
May 4, 1977 EF4 98 km 12.0 mi 0
Jun 8, 1966 EF4 77 km 19.9 mi 1
Apr 12, 1964 EF4 52 km 19.4 mi 3
May 7, 1961 EF4 75 km 26.2 mi 0
May 22, 1952 EF4 58 km 26.9 mi 0
Mar 6, 2017 EF3 80 km 17.7 mi 0
May 21, 2011 EF3 92 km 10.1 mi 1
May 2, 2008 EF3 96 km 0.9 mi 0
May 8, 2003 EF3 71 km 25.0 mi 0
May 17, 1995 EF3 85 km 14.0 mi 0
May 6, 1983 EF3 92 km 19.0 mi 1
Jun 19, 1981 EF3 59 km 7.7 mi 1
May 4, 1977 EF3 35 km 29.8 mi 2
May 4, 1977 EF3 50 km 31.6 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,089 acres, 2006).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2006 UNNAMED 2,089 99 km
1991 UNNAMED 2,043 82 km
1996 UNNAMED 2,010 94 km
1990 UNNAMED 1,823 97 km
2005 NR STEELE 1,652 41 km
1988 UNNAMED 1,539 82 km
2009 KENNEDY CREEK EAST 1,207 80 km
1994 UNNAMED 1,097 61 km
2008 KENNEDY CREEK EAST 1,091 79 km
2006 GRAND 1,067 82 km
2021 CRAWFORD 1,015 98 km
2019 EAST KENNEDY CREEK 1,004 79 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 29°F (-2°C) 1.1 in Coldest, Driest
February 34°F (1°C) 1.6 in
March 44°F (7°C) 2.6 in
April 54°F (12°C) 3.8 in
May 65°F (18°C) 5.5 in Wettest
June 74°F (23°C) 5.5 in
July 79°F (26°C) 4.2 in Warmest
August 77°F (25°C) 3.4 in
September 69°F (20°C) 4.2 in
October 57°F (14°C) 3.1 in
November 44°F (7°C) 2.3 in
December 34°F (1°C) 1.7 in

Osawatomie has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 29°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.5") and January the driest (1.1").

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