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Weather & Climate in Russell, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Russell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 80°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 24.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,819 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 54.8°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,819 ft (554 m) |
| Area | 4.9 sq mi (12.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 876/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.8875°N, 98.8514°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Russell County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hays Regional (HYS) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 12.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 57.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
193 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 | 62 km | 3 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.1 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.8 | 136 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 112 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 119 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 62 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 95 km | 11 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 113 km | 15 km |
| Mar 8, 2018 | 2 km WSW of Hutchinson, Kansas | M3.4 | 121 km | 11 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 114 km | 16 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 75 km | 13 km |
| Aug 2, 2025 | 6 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas | M3.4 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 103 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
724 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 248 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 18, 2013 | EF4 | 99 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF4 | 74 km | 50.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2001 | EF4 | 44 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF4 | 29 km | 25.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF4 | 80 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 76 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 97 km | 56.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1955 | EF4 | 76 km | 61.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1951 | EF4 | 90 km | 0.8 mi | 5 |
| May 4, 1950 | EF4 | 98 km | 34.3 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 2018 | EF3 | 84 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 78 km | 26.6 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2008 | EF3 | 79 km | 18.9 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 94 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2005 | EF3 | 100 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1998 | EF3 | 69 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 98 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 82 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1991 | EF3 | 78 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1990 | EF3 | 55 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
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 | 27 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 77 km |
| 2022 | NESS/ELLIS COUNTY | 14,699 | 66 km |
| 2022 | GARFIELD | 8,650 | 93 km |
| 1988 | SMOKY HILL AIR FORCE RANGE | 7,665 | 91 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 6,406 | 88 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,328 | 38 km |
| 2011 | JORDEN SPRINGS | 5,488 | 94 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 4,972 | 64 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 4,558 | 94 km |
| 2021 | BOILING SPRINGS | 4,299 | 90 km |
| 1989 | SLEEPER | 4,269 | 83 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,113 | 91 km |
| 2017 | GORHAM | 4,054 | 14 km |
| 2010 | BIG SALT MARSH | 3,960 | 85 km |
| 1991 | ROAD 484 | 3,626 | 84 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 3,618 | 91 km |
| 1998 | EAST BG SALT | 3,521 | 84 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 3,401 | 93 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,330 | 19 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 1.7 in | |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 32°F (0°C) | 0.8 in |
Russell has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 31°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.6").