Weather & Climate in Princeton, KS

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

Princeton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 30°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 40.6 inches. The area receives 12.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 963 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	55.2°F
	2% above US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	963 ft (294 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density	533/sq mi
Coordinates	38.4862°N, 95.2701°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Franklin County County
Nearest Airport	Lawrence Regional (LWC) 36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 40.6"

7% above US avg

Snowfall 12.8"

Wettest Month (Jun) 5.59"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.18"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	43.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	25.4 / 100
Community Resilience	84.4 / 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 Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Sep 16, 2019	15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas	M3.8	129 km	5 km
May 15, 2025	5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas	M3.5	150 km	5 km
May 18, 2005	Missouri	M3.3	114 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2023	13 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas	M3.2	137 km	5 km
Sep 16, 2019	11 km E of Marion, Kansas	M3.2	141 km	5 km
Mar 23, 2007	5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas	M3.1	109 km	5 km
Jan 29, 2020	9 km ENE of Marion, Kansas	M3.1	144 km	5 km
May 13, 1999	6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas	M3.0	84 km	5 km
Jan 29, 2020	11 km SSE of Lincolnville, Kansas	M2.8	142 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2020	4 km SE of Marion, Kansas	M2.8	150 km	5 km
Sep 25, 2024	6 km NE of Cedar Point, Kansas	M2.7	133 km	6 km
May 10, 2023	13 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas	M2.6	139 km	8 km
Mar 12, 2020	9 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas	M2.6	141 km	5 km
Mar 7, 2023	14 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas	M2.6	136 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2015	3 km ESE of Clinton, Missouri	M2.6	134 km	2 km
Apr 21, 2025	7 km ESE of Marion, Kansas	M2.6	146 km	10 km
Jan 4, 2024	13 km ENE of Marion, Kansas	M2.5	140 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	12 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas	M2.5	139 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2023	14 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas	M2.5	137 km	8 km
Mar 5, 2023	15 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas	M2.5	135 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

566 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 99 fatalities, 1,288 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 8, 1966	EF5	74 km	21.1 mi	16
May 20, 1957	EF5	20 km	69.4 mi	44
May 28, 2019	EF4	40 km	29.1 mi	0
Feb 28, 2007	EF4	42 km	28.0 mi	0
May 4, 2003	EF4	75 km	21.0 mi	2
Jun 8, 1974	EF4	83 km	37.5 mi	6
Jun 8, 1966	EF4	76 km	19.9 mi	1
Apr 12, 1964	EF4	41 km	19.4 mi	3
May 7, 1961	EF4	82 km	26.2 mi	0
May 19, 1960	EF4	97 km	27.5 mi	1
May 22, 1952	EF4	55 km	26.9 mi	0
May 21, 2011	EF3	64 km	10.1 mi	1
May 8, 2003	EF3	43 km	25.0 mi	0
May 8, 2003	EF3	97 km	23.0 mi	0
May 6, 1983	EF3	70 km	19.0 mi	1
Jun 19, 1981	EF3	54 km	7.7 mi	1
May 4, 1977	EF3	63 km	29.8 mi	2
May 4, 1977	EF3	36 km	31.6 mi	0
Jun 26, 1969	EF3	95 km	10.1 mi	0
May 15, 1968	EF3	56 km	2.7 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WAGSTAFF (16,111 acres, 2023).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2023	WAGSTAFF	16,111	98 km
1988	UNNAMED	15,512	87 km
1996	UNNAMED	14,661	97 km
2017	WARREN ROAD	5,037	99 km
2022	ILLINOIS CREEK	5,008	100 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,836	95 km
1990	UNNAMED	2,437	97 km
2021	345	2,430	90 km
2021	400 AND ROAD L	2,393	86 km
1991	UNNAMED	2,043	89 km
1996	UNNAMED	2,010	67 km
1990	UNNAMED	1,823	77 km
1994	UNNAMED	1,719	95 km
2005	NR STEELE	1,652	63 km
1996	UNNAMED	1,575	91 km
1988	UNNAMED	1,539	81 km
1994	UNNAMED	1,408	96 km
2009	KENNEDY CREEK EAST	1,207	53 km
1989	UNNAMED	1,182	88 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,100	81 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	1.3 in	Coldest
February	34°F (1°C)	1.2 in	Driest
March	45°F (7°C)	2.9 in
April	55°F (13°C)	3.5 in
May	65°F (18°C)	4.9 in
June	74°F (23°C)	5.6 in	Wettest
July	79°F (26°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
August	78°F (25°C)	4.1 in
September	69°F (21°C)	4.4 in
October	58°F (14°C)	3.6 in
November	44°F (7°C)	2.6 in
December	33°F (1°C)	1.7 in

Princeton has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 30°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.6") and February the driest (1.2").

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