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Weather & Climate in Paola, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Paola 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. The area gets 293 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 41.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 914 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 55.0°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 914 ft (279 m) |
| Area | 5.3 sq mi (13.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,086/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.5789°N, 94.8604°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Miami County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lawrence Regional (LWC) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 43.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 80.4 / 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 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 107 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2015 | 3 km ESE of Clinton, Missouri | M2.6 | 100 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
550 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 96 fatalities, 1,085 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF5 | 99 km | 21.1 mi | 16 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF5 | 58 km | 69.4 mi | 44 |
| May 28, 2019 | EF4 | 53 km | 29.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | EF4 | 54 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 80 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 55 km | 21.0 mi | 2 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF4 | 86 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF4 | 71 km | 19.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 64 km | 19.4 mi | 3 |
| May 7, 1961 | EF4 | 66 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1952 | EF4 | 54 km | 26.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 6, 2017 | EF3 | 68 km | 17.7 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2011 | EF3 | 100 km | 10.1 mi | 1 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 85 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 77 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1995 | EF3 | 90 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1983 | EF3 | 95 km | 19.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 19, 1981 | EF3 | 56 km | 7.7 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF3 | 94 km | 26.2 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF3 | 51 km | 31.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,089 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,089 | 94 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,043 | 90 km |
| 2005 | NR STEELE | 1,652 | 44 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,539 | 92 km |
| 2009 | KENNEDY CREEK EAST | 1,207 | 90 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 1,097 | 67 km |
| 2008 | KENNEDY CREEK EAST | 1,091 | 89 km |
| 2006 | GRAND | 1,067 | 92 km |
| 2019 | EAST KENNEDY CREEK | 1,004 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 5.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 4.7 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 1.6 in |
Paola has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 29°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.8") and February the driest (1.3").