Weather & Climate in Protection, KS

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

Protection enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 82°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 25.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.1 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 1,847 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	59.3°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,847 ft (563 m)
Area	1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density	542/sq mi
Coordinates	37.2004°N, 99.4808°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Comanche County County
Nearest Airport	Dodge City Regional (DDC) 47 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.3"

33% below US avg

Snowfall 17.1"

Wettest Month (May) 3.78"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	20.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.3 / 100
Community Resilience	43.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

2,047 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	105 km	8 km
Jan 7, 2016	16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.7	103 km	4 km
Jan 7, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.4	105 km	7 km
Jan 7, 2016	16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.4	103 km	7 km
Jul 9, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.4	104 km	7 km
Jul 20, 2015	7 km SSE of Byron, Oklahoma	M4.4	116 km	4 km
Jun 9, 2018	8 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma	M4.4	135 km	10 km
Jul 29, 2014	9 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma	M4.3	137 km	5 km
Jul 8, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.2	104 km	7 km
Feb 5, 2015	8 km NE of Cherokee, Oklahoma	M4.2	114 km	4 km
Jul 8, 2016	17 km SE of Waynoka, OK	M4.2	104 km	6 km
May 13, 2017	17 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.2	104 km	5 km
Feb 19, 2021	6 km SW of Manchester, Oklahoma	M4.2	126 km	7 km
Jun 5, 2015	3 km SW of Danville, Kansas	M4.1	138 km	2 km
Jan 18, 2016	Oklahoma	M4.1	140 km	8 km
Sep 15, 1995	7 km NNW of Alva, Oklahoma	M4.1	79 km	5 km
May 25, 2021	3 km WNW of Shattuck, Oklahoma	M4.1	109 km	8 km
Jan 6, 2016	16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.0	104 km	9 km
Feb 13, 2016	16 km SE of Waynoka, Oklahoma	M4.0	104 km	5 km
Mar 24, 2015	11 km ENE of Nescatunga, Oklahoma	M4.0	137 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

615 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 15 fatalities, 110 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 4, 2007	EF5	18 km	28.8 mi	11
Apr 17, 1976	EF4	86 km	19.5 mi	0
Jun 4, 1955	EF4	58 km	72.2 mi	0
May 4, 1950	EF4	98 km	34.3 mi	0
May 23, 2019	EF3	98 km	15.7 mi	0
May 17, 2019	EF3	61 km	29.6 mi	0
May 24, 2016	EF3	76 km	8.3 mi	0
May 24, 2016	EF3	89 km	1.9 mi	0
May 24, 2016	EF3	67 km	14.7 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF3	98 km	39.7 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF3	47 km	48.0 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	81 km	21.9 mi	2
May 23, 2008	EF3	42 km	11.0 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	72 km	18.2 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	59 km	5.0 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	27 km	20.9 mi	0
May 4, 2007	EF3	65 km	18.2 mi	1
May 4, 2007	EF3	52 km	23.5 mi	0
May 4, 2007	EF3	91 km	17.4 mi	1
Mar 27, 2004	EF3	86 km	10.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OKS - STARBUCK (657,299 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	OKS - STARBUCK	657,299	39 km
2016	ANDERSON CREEK FIRE	374,523	58 km
1996	UNNAMED	88,943	52 km
2024	CATESBY FIRE	83,975	97 km
2017	OKS - 283	68,558	62 km
2016	350 COMPLEX	58,055	64 km
2018	34 COMPLEX	57,533	69 km
2017	OKS - SELMAN	44,767	69 km
2024	SLAPOUT FIRE	23,810	82 km
1996	UNNAMED	23,123	77 km
2015	BOILING SPRINGS FIRE	20,264	75 km
2022	217	18,293	79 km
1994	UNNAMED	16,448	46 km
2016	BUFFALO	16,160	38 km
2022	23 AND DD	8,885	89 km
2006	UNNAMED	8,750	80 km
2008	LARKIN	8,397	50 km
2019	GAGE FIRE	7,883	91 km
2006	UNNAMED	7,815	85 km
2008	UNNAMED	6,276	40 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	0.6 in	Driest
February	38°F (3°C)	0.8 in
March	46°F (8°C)	1.9 in
April	56°F (13°C)	2.1 in
May	66°F (19°C)	3.8 in	Wettest
June	75°F (24°C)	3.7 in
July	82°F (28°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	79°F (26°C)	3.0 in
September	71°F (22°C)	2.3 in
October	59°F (15°C)	1.9 in
November	44°F (7°C)	1.3 in
December	35°F (2°C)	0.8 in	Coldest

Protection has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 35°F in December to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.6").

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