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Weather & Climate in Preston, MO
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 30°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 262 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 41.1 inches. The area receives 5.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 1,056 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 55.3°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 262 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,056 ft (322 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (1.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 464/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.9413°N, 93.2086°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| Nearest Airport | Sedalia Regional (DMO) 53 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Earthquake History
7 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.
| May 18, 2005 | Missouri | M3.3 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Jul 31, 2005 | Missouri | M3.3 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2001 | 1 km SW of Hermitage, Missouri | M3.1 | 10 km | 5 km |
| Jan 21, 1992 | 5 km SE of Linn Creek, Missouri | M3.1 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2015 | 3 km ESE of Clinton, Missouri | M2.6 | 66 km | 2 km |
| Apr 23, 2025 | 3 km E of Hartville, Missouri | M2.6 | 100 km | 4 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 3 km WNW of Evergreen, Missouri | M2.5 | 67 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
448 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 428 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 29, 1991 | EF4 | 94 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 19, 1973 | EF4 | 71 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 1959 | EF4 | 81 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 68 km | 32.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 94 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF3 | 74 km | 50.4 mi | 3 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 22 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 83 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 34 km | 14.0 mi | 4 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 63 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 1983 | EF3 | 85 km | 5.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 15, 1982 | EF3 | 36 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1980 | EF3 | 83 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF3 | 78 km | 11.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 56 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 92 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 61 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 40 km | 19.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 66 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2019 | EF2 | 97 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (7,388 acres, 1994).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,388 | 26 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 5,344 | 42 km |
| 2006 | BIG SPRING FIRE | 4,921 | 25 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 4,767 | 27 km |
| 2009 | MOUNTAIN CREEK | 4,322 | 39 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 4,179 | 34 km |
| 2023 | CANNON RANGE RX | 3,870 | 92 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 3,538 | 26 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,533 | 40 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,492 | 27 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 3,336 | 38 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,135 | 31 km |
| 2012 | KINFOLK RD | 2,883 | 40 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,763 | 20 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,710 | 25 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,590 | 26 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,575 | 26 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,569 | 44 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 2,418 | 37 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,369 | 36 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 1.9 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 2.4 in |
Preston has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 30°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (1.5").