Weather & Climate in Palco, KS

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

Palco experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 78°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 24.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.4 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 2,277 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	52.5°F
	3% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,277 ft (694 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density	793/sq mi
Coordinates	39.2532°N, 99.5635°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Rooks County County
Nearest Airport	Hays Regional (HYS) 32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.2"

36% below US avg

Snowfall 17.4"

Wettest Month (May) 3.35"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	14.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	48.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
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

144 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	13 km	3 km
Jul 17, 2022	8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska	M3.8	145 km	3 km
Jun 12, 2017	5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.7	132 km	5 km
Jun 12, 2017	8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas	M3.7	136 km	5 km
Jun 13, 2017	6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.6	132 km	5 km
May 6, 2021	5 km S of Formoso, Kansas	M3.6	144 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2025	9 km S of Hill City, Kansas	M3.5	23 km	11 km
May 30, 1991	5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	15 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2021	Kansas	M3.5	114 km	5 km
May 31, 2019	2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	12 km	5 km
May 21, 2017	7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.4	135 km	16 km
Jun 25, 2025	10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas	M3.4	43 km	13 km
Apr 4, 2017	3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.4	131 km	15 km
Sep 18, 2023	Nebraska	M3.4	147 km	10 km
Jul 26, 2022	8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska	M3.4	145 km	5 km
Jul 15, 1992	19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas	M3.3	55 km	5 km
Sep 16, 2016	8 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.3	27 km	5 km
Apr 7, 2017	7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.3	135 km	13 km
Sep 14, 2016	10 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.3	24 km	5 km
Jul 29, 2021	11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas	M3.3	115 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

661 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 155 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 23, 2008	EF4	72 km	11.4 mi	0
May 7, 1993	EF4	98 km	25.5 mi	1
May 10, 1985	EF4	64 km	56.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF4	23 km	33.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1955	EF4	94 km	61.9 mi	0
Jun 27, 1951	EF4	37 km	0.8 mi	5
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	57 km	3.9 mi	0
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	37 km	11.9 mi	0
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	73 km	8.4 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	77 km	9.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 2005	EF3	59 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 3, 1999	EF3	67 km	10.0 mi	0
Oct 16, 1998	EF3	56 km	26.0 mi	0
Apr 11, 1991	EF3	23 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 1990	EF3	72 km	37.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF3	9 km	30.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF3	36 km	10.0 mi	0
Oct 16, 1980	EF3	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 30, 1972	EF3	88 km	6.8 mi	0
Apr 30, 1972	EF3	90 km	2.7 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FOUR COUNTY (122,971 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	FOUR COUNTY	122,971	49 km
2022	NESS/ELLIS COUNTY	14,699	61 km
1989	UNNAMED	6,328	36 km
1996	UNNAMED	4,972	56 km
2017	GORHAM	4,054	60 km
1991	UNNAMED	3,330	92 km
2008	GOVE EAST	1,849	80 km
2017	FELLHOELTER	1,664	22 km
2024	CODELL RD	1,609	46 km
2021	NORTH LAKE	1,530	53 km
2009	CRAIG NALER	1,464	94 km
2010	H-RX-F KIR NON NFP	1,435	57 km
2022	KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX	1,367	54 km
2020	PRAIRIE DOG	1,257	74 km
2016	KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS	1,123	55 km
2011	W-RX-F NON FUNDED TREATMENT_KSKIR	1,083	55 km
2002	UNNAMED	1,057	43 km
1993	UNNAMED	1,029	24 km
2008	H RX F BOTTOMS	1,009	54 km
1989	UNNAMED	1,009	77 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 (0°C)	0.6 in
March	42°F (5°C)	1.7 in
April	52°F (11°C)	2.0 in
May	62°F (17°C)	3.4 in	Wettest
June	73°F (23°C)	3.1 in
July	78°F (26°C)	3.3 in	Warmest
August	76°F (25°C)	2.6 in
September	68°F (20°C)	2.2 in
October	55°F (13°C)	1.3 in
November	40°F (5°C)	0.9 in
December	31°F (-0°C)	0.5 in

Palco has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 29°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.4").

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