Weather & Climate in Preston, KS

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

Preston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 323 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 27.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 15.1 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 1,834 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	55.2°F
	2% above US avg
January Average	31°F (-0°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,834 ft (559 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density	289/sq mi
Coordinates	37.7584°N, 98.5578°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Pratt County County
Nearest Airport	Pratt Regional (PTT) 11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.6"

27% below US avg

Snowfall 15.1"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.90"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	54.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	55.0 / 100
Community Resilience	80.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

2,974 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.

Feb 13, 2016	18 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M5.1	142 km	8 km
Jan 7, 2016	16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.7	141 km	4 km
Jan 31, 2022	7 km NW of Medford, Oklahoma	M4.5	122 km	8 km
Jan 19, 2020	2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.5	59 km	5 km
Jul 9, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.4	145 km	7 km
Jun 9, 2018	8 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma	M4.4	119 km	10 km
Jan 7, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.4	144 km	7 km
Jan 7, 2016	16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.4	142 km	7 km
May 17, 2019	8 km E of Pond Creek, Oklahoma	M4.4	143 km	5 km
Jul 20, 2015	7 km SSE of Byron, Oklahoma	M4.4	105 km	4 km
Sep 8, 2017	9 km ESE of Jefferson, Oklahoma	M4.3	141 km	6 km
Jul 29, 2014	9 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma	M4.3	120 km	5 km
Jul 8, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.2	143 km	7 km
Jan 26, 2015	5 km NNE of Medford, Oklahoma	M4.2	126 km	7 km
May 13, 2017	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.2	143 km	5 km
Aug 16, 2019	3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.2	59 km	5 km
Feb 19, 2021	6 km SW of Manchester, Oklahoma	M4.2	97 km	7 km
Jul 8, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, OK	M4.2	144 km	6 km
Feb 5, 2015	8 km NE of Cherokee, Oklahoma	M4.2	108 km	4 km
Sep 15, 1995	7 km NNW of Alva, Oklahoma	M4.1	100 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

795 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 27 fatalities, 289 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 4, 2007	EF5	90 km	28.8 mi	11
Mar 13, 1990	EF5	47 km	48.0 mi	1
May 18, 2013	EF4	91 km	7.0 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF4	77 km	50.3 mi	0
May 12, 2004	EF4	76 km	1.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 2001	EF4	85 km	5.0 mi	1
Mar 26, 1991	EF4	50 km	13.0 mi	0
Apr 17, 1976	EF4	77 km	19.5 mi	0
Jun 23, 1969	EF4	81 km	8.7 mi	0
Jun 8, 1950	EF4	84 km	17.1 mi	1
May 4, 1950	EF4	58 km	34.3 mi	0
May 16, 2017	EF3	64 km	26.6 mi	0
May 24, 2016	EF3	64 km	8.3 mi	0
Jul 13, 2015	EF3	69 km	5.3 mi	0
May 6, 2015	EF3	80 km	16.5 mi	0
May 19, 2012	EF3	62 km	9.7 mi	0
May 19, 2012	EF3	53 km	9.7 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF3	36 km	39.7 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF3	95 km	18.1 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF3	74 km	48.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ANDERSON CREEK FIRE (374,523 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	ANDERSON CREEK FIRE	374,523	77 km
1996	UNNAMED	88,943	91 km
1994	UNNAMED	16,448	57 km
2016	BURMAC	10,668	86 km
1994	UNNAMED	8,987	73 km
2022	GARFIELD	8,650	66 km
2008	LARKIN	8,397	60 km
2017	HIGHLANDS	7,418	73 km
2022	COTTONWOOD COMPLEX	6,487	80 km
2008	UNNAMED	6,406	49 km
2006	TWELTH STREET	6,282	87 km
1994	UNNAMED	5,764	89 km
2020	EWB	5,706	82 km
2018	RICE COUNTY	5,504	77 km
2011	JORDEN SPRINGS	5,488	44 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,168	36 km
2020	WHEAT STATE	4,847	87 km
2008	LAKE CITY	4,643	55 km
2007	AETNA FIRE	4,579	77 km
2008	UNNAMED	4,566	77 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-0°C)	0.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	36°F (2°C)	0.9 in
March	45°F (7°C)	2.0 in
April	55°F (13°C)	2.4 in
May	65°F (18°C)	3.6 in
June	75°F (24°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
July	79°F (26°C)	3.0 in	Warmest
August	79°F (26°C)	3.0 in
September	70°F (21°C)	2.7 in
October	58°F (15°C)	2.2 in
November	44°F (6°C)	1.3 in
December	34°F (1°C)	0.9 in

Preston has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 31°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.6").

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