All Countries
Weather & Climate in Ottawa, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ottawa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 302 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 39.9 inches. The area receives 9.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 919 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 54.5°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 919 ft (280 m) |
| Area | 9.4 sq mi (24.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,224/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.6001°N, 95.2628°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Franklin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lawrence Regional (LWC) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 43.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 25.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 84.4 / 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 Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Sep 16, 2019 | 15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas | M3.8 | 130 km | 5 km |
| May 15, 2025 | 5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas | M3.5 | 149 km | 5 km |
| May 18, 2005 | Missouri | M3.3 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 13 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M3.2 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 11 km E of Marion, Kansas | M3.2 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Jan 29, 2020 | 9 km ENE of Marion, Kansas | M3.1 | 146 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Jan 29, 2020 | 11 km SSE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.8 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Sep 25, 2024 | 6 km NE of Cedar Point, Kansas | M2.7 | 136 km | 6 km |
| May 10, 2023 | 13 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.6 | 141 km | 8 km |
| Mar 12, 2020 | 9 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.6 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 2023 | 14 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.6 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2015 | 3 km ESE of Clinton, Missouri | M2.6 | 135 km | 2 km |
| Apr 21, 2025 | 7 km ESE of Marion, Kansas | M2.6 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Jan 4, 2024 | 13 km ENE of Marion, Kansas | M2.5 | 142 km | 5 km |
| May 18, 2023 | 12 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.5 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jun 8, 2023 | 14 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.5 | 139 km | 8 km |
| Mar 5, 2023 | 15 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.5 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jan 24, 2023 | Kansas | M2.5 | 143 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
570 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 99 fatalities, 1,330 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF5 | 67 km | 21.1 mi | 16 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF5 | 27 km | 69.4 mi | 44 |
| May 28, 2019 | EF4 | 28 km | 29.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | EF4 | 54 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 97 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 64 km | 21.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 8, 1974 | EF4 | 86 km | 37.5 mi | 6 |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF4 | 64 km | 19.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 54 km | 19.4 mi | 3 |
| May 7, 1961 | EF4 | 70 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 88 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| May 22, 1952 | EF4 | 42 km | 26.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 6, 2017 | EF3 | 97 km | 17.7 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2011 | EF3 | 65 km | 10.1 mi | 1 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 42 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 90 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1983 | EF3 | 62 km | 19.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 19, 1981 | EF3 | 41 km | 7.7 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF3 | 65 km | 29.8 mi | 2 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF3 | 24 km | 31.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WAGSTAFF (16,111 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | WAGSTAFF | 16,111 | 94 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 15,512 | 83 km |
| 2017 | WARREN ROAD | 5,037 | 91 km |
| 2022 | ILLINOIS CREEK | 5,008 | 96 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 2,940 | 100 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,836 | 94 km |
| 2020 | BOURBONAIS CREEK | 2,803 | 93 km |
| 2021 | 345 | 2,430 | 82 km |
| 2021 | 400 AND ROAD L | 2,393 | 83 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 2,187 | 99 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,043 | 100 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 2,010 | 66 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,823 | 88 km |
| 2005 | NR STEELE | 1,652 | 69 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,575 | 82 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,539 | 93 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 1,408 | 88 km |
| 2009 | KENNEDY CREEK EAST | 1,207 | 60 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,194 | 96 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,182 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 5.1 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 2.7 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 1.7 in |
Ottawa has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 29°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.5") and February the driest (1.2").