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Weather & Climate in Pawnee Rock, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pawnee Rock experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 30°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 27.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 11.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,948 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 54.3°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,948 ft (594 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,046/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.2649°N, 98.9824°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Barton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pratt Regional (PTT) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 60.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
279 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 | 113 km | 3 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.1 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Jun 5, 2015 | 3 km SW of Danville, Kansas | M4.1 | 145 km | 2 km |
| May 23, 2015 | 6 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas | M4.0 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Jun 22, 2017 | 7 km SE of Harper, Kansas | M3.7 | 145 km | 4 km |
| Jun 10, 2017 | 6 km SSE of Harper, Kansas | M3.7 | 144 km | 4 km |
| Feb 10, 2015 | 4 km NNE of Anthony, Kansas | M3.6 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jun 5, 2015 | 9 km SE of Harper, Kansas | M3.6 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2017 | 6 km SE of Harper, Kansas | M3.6 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 135 km | 11 km |
| Mar 20, 2022 | 9 km WNW of Viola, Kansas | M3.5 | 137 km | 2 km |
| Jul 5, 2016 | 10 km SSW of Spivey, Kansas | M3.5 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2015 | 4 km S of Harper, Kansas | M3.5 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Aug 19, 2016 | 7 km SSW of Cheney, Kansas | M3.5 | 129 km | 2 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2017 | 7 km SE of Harper, Kansas | M3.5 | 145 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Feb 22, 2017 | 8 km SE of Harper, Kansas | M3.4 | 146 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
837 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 167 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 18, 2013 | EF4 | 45 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF4 | 65 km | 50.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2001 | EF4 | 32 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF4 | 81 km | 25.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF4 | 88 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF4 | 100 km | 26.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1950 | EF4 | 92 km | 17.1 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 1950 | EF4 | 29 km | 34.3 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 8 km | 26.6 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 93 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 51 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2015 | EF3 | 87 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 36 km | 39.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 80 km | 48.0 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 58 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 87 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 93 km | 21.9 mi | 2 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 64 km | 18.2 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 75 km | 23.5 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 41 km | 17.4 mi | 1 |
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 | 91 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 16,448 | 96 km |
| 2022 | NESS/ELLIS COUNTY | 14,699 | 72 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,987 | 89 km |
| 2022 | GARFIELD | 8,650 | 26 km |
| 2017 | HODGEMAN COUNTY | 8,518 | 77 km |
| 2017 | HIGHLANDS | 7,418 | 93 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 6,406 | 52 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,328 | 91 km |
| 2018 | RICE COUNTY | 5,504 | 90 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 5,494 | 64 km |
| 2011 | JORDEN SPRINGS | 5,488 | 55 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,168 | 58 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 4,972 | 74 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 4,558 | 56 km |
| 2021 | BOILING SPRINGS | 4,299 | 44 km |
| 1989 | SLEEPER | 4,269 | 43 km |
| 2017 | GORHAM | 4,054 | 73 km |
| 2010 | BIG SALT MARSH | 3,960 | 42 km |
| 1991 | ROAD 484 | 3,626 | 42 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 74°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.0 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 2.3 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 0.9 in |
Pawnee Rock has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 30°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.6").