Weather & Climate in Pawnee, OK

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

Pawnee enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 317 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 37.4 inches. The area receives 7.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 834 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	60.1°F
	11% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	317 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	834 ft (254 m)
Area	2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²)
Population Density	601/sq mi
Coordinates	36.3515°N, 96.8005°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Pawnee County County
Nearest Airport	Stillwater Regional (SWO) 21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.4"

1% below US avg

Snowfall 7.1"

Wettest Month (May) 4.80"

Driest Month (Jan) 1.18"

Air Quality

AQI Median	45.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	48.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	77.4 / 100
Community Resilience	27.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

5,975 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.

Sep 3, 2016	14 km NW of Pawnee, Oklahoma	M5.8	14 km	6 km
Feb 3, 2024	8 km NW of Prague, Oklahoma	M5.1	91 km	3 km
Apr 7, 2018	5 km WNW of Lucien, Oklahoma	M4.6	65 km	6 km
Apr 9, 2018	8 km NNE of Marshall, Oklahoma	M4.6	71 km	5 km
Jan 31, 2022	7 km NW of Medford, Oklahoma	M4.5	105 km	8 km
Dec 7, 2013	8 km SW of Arcadia, Oklahoma	M4.5	98 km	8 km
Jul 27, 2015	4 km NNE of Crescent, Oklahoma	M4.5	80 km	5 km
Jun 9, 2018	8 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma	M4.4	122 km	10 km
Apr 16, 2013	Oklahoma	M4.4	78 km	6 km
Jul 20, 2015	7 km SSE of Byron, Oklahoma	M4.4	141 km	4 km
Aug 19, 2014	12 km SSW of Guthrie, Oklahoma	M4.4	88 km	5 km
May 17, 2019	8 km E of Pond Creek, Oklahoma	M4.4	88 km	5 km
Jun 17, 2015	6 km ESE of Covington, Oklahoma	M4.3	65 km	6 km
Jul 29, 2014	9 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma	M4.3	120 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2014	7 km NNE of Lake Aluma, Oklahoma	M4.3	100 km	5 km
Sep 8, 2017	9 km ESE of Jefferson, Oklahoma	M4.3	88 km	6 km
Jan 13, 2024	6 km W of Arcadia, Oklahoma	M4.3	93 km	7 km
Mar 4, 2018	4 km N of Breckinridge, Oklahoma	M4.2	85 km	8 km
Mar 29, 2016	4 km NNE of Crescent, Oklahoma	M4.2	81 km	5 km
Mar 30, 2014	2 km S of Marshall, Oklahoma	M4.2	78 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

822 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 154 fatalities, 1,777 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 25, 1955	EF5	59 km	28.4 mi	20
May 25, 1955	EF5	67 km	56.4 mi	80
May 6, 2024	EF4	40 km	40.8 mi	2
May 3, 1999	EF4	95 km	35.0 mi	2
Apr 24, 1993	EF4	90 km	5.5 mi	7
Apr 26, 1991	EF4	86 km	25.0 mi	1
Apr 26, 1991	EF4	32 km	32.0 mi	1
Apr 26, 1991	EF4	97 km	4.0 mi	0
Apr 26, 1991	EF4	68 km	66.0 mi	0
Apr 29, 1984	EF4	52 km	27.0 mi	1
Apr 26, 1984	EF4	35 km	22.0 mi	3
Jun 8, 1974	EF4	47 km	29.0 mi	14
Apr 2, 1956	EF4	54 km	108.3 mi	2
May 25, 2024	EF3	93 km	23.9 mi	2
May 19, 2013	EF3	83 km	20.8 mi	0
May 29, 2004	EF3	61 km	7.5 mi	0
May 8, 2003	EF3	26 km	45.0 mi	0
May 3, 1999	EF3	78 km	16.0 mi	0
May 3, 1999	EF3	86 km	13.0 mi	0
May 24, 1998	EF3	75 km	5.3 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FREEDOM HILL (57,116 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	FREEDOM HILL	57,116	50 km
2014	UNNAMED	36,112	70 km
2014	UNNAMED	32,901	76 km
2018	DRUMB	30,422	47 km
2021	CANDY CREEK	23,167	70 km
2015	UNNAMED	20,347	78 km
2004	UNNAMED	19,648	90 km
2014	RESERVE	19,016	30 km
2018	WEST 60	18,715	56 km
2014	UNNAMED	17,075	84 km
2023	HWY 123	14,980	75 km
2016	BAR-DEW LAKE	14,806	86 km
2014	SPIDER	14,587	40 km
2014	UNNAMED	14,119	76 km
2023	NORTH DRUM	11,618	49 km
2023	ZINK	11,332	57 km
2017	MILSAP	10,879	44 km
2021	HUGHES	10,477	74 km
2011	GREYHORSE	10,411	24 km
2011	UNNAMED	10,205	54 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	1.2 in	Coldest, Driest
February	41°F (5°C)	1.6 in
March	50°F (10°C)	3.1 in
April	60°F (15°C)	3.1 in
May	68°F (20°C)	4.8 in	Wettest
June	77°F (25°C)	4.1 in
July	83°F (28°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	81°F (27°C)	3.3 in
September	72°F (22°C)	4.8 in
October	61°F (16°C)	3.0 in
November	48°F (9°C)	2.6 in
December	39°F (4°C)	1.6 in

Pawnee has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 37°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and January the driest (1.2").

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