Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Scott City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 78°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 20.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 19.6 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 2,979 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
53.1°F
2% below US avg
January Average
30°F (-1°C)
July Average
78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
326 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
2,979 ft (908 m)
Area
2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
Population Density
1,459/sq mi
Coordinates
38.4789°N, 100.9031°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Scott County County
Nearest Airport
Garden City Regional (GCK) 39 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall20.2"
47% below US avg
Snowfall19.6"
Wettest Month (Jul)2.99"
Driest Month (Dec)0.51"
Air Quality
AQI Median
39.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
46.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability
80.6 / 100
Community Resilience
25.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively High
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
30 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.5.
Jun 1, 2025
9 km S of Hill City, Kansas
M3.5
128 km
11 km
Sep 14, 2016
10 km N of Ellis, Kansas
M3.3
131 km
5 km
Sep 16, 2016
8 km N of Ellis, Kansas
M3.3
130 km
5 km
Jul 15, 1992
19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas
M3.3
122 km
5 km
Sep 19, 2016
8 km N of Ellis, Kansas
M3.2
129 km
3 km
Sep 16, 2016
8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas
M3.1
129 km
9 km
Aug 31, 2016
9 km N of Ellis, Kansas
M3.1
130 km
5 km
Jan 7, 1999
5 km WNW of Liebenthal, Kansas
M3.0
134 km
5 km
Jul 15, 2025
2 km SW of Zurich, Kansas
M3.0
150 km
12 km
May 31, 2025
3 km SSE of Hill City, Kansas
M2.9
134 km
5 km
Jun 29, 2021
Kansas
M2.9
131 km
6 km
Apr 1, 2003
4 km WNW of Zurich, Kansas
M2.8
149 km
5 km
Jul 29, 2025
16 km S of Hill City, Kansas
M2.8
125 km
9 km
Feb 4, 2000
15 km S of Zurich, Kansas
M2.8
146 km
5 km
Jul 11, 2025
2 km E of Hill City, Kansas
M2.7
136 km
9 km
Apr 2, 1992
15 km SSW of Zurich, Kansas
M2.7
140 km
5 km
Jul 5, 2025
17 km NNE of Collyer, Kansas
M2.7
108 km
10 km
Jan 24, 2025
1 km SE of Palco, Kansas
M2.6
145 km
5 km
Jan 23, 2025
5 km E of Palco, Kansas
M2.6
149 km
5 km
Sep 18, 2016
12 km NW of Ellis, Kansas
M2.6
124 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
617 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 72 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 23, 2008
EF4
74 km
11.4 mi
0
Apr 30, 1972
EF4
83 km
26.6 mi
0
May 24, 2016
EF3
82 km
7.7 mi
0
May 24, 2016
EF3
70 km
11.0 mi
0
May 23, 2008
EF3
90 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 2007
EF3
85 km
29.1 mi
0
Jun 9, 2005
EF3
89 km
6.0 mi
0
Jun 22, 1999
EF3
41 km
4.0 mi
0
May 16, 1995
EF3
67 km
10.0 mi
0
May 15, 1995
EF3
62 km
6.0 mi
0
May 16, 1991
EF3
90 km
22.0 mi
0
May 19, 1982
EF3
97 km
2.0 mi
0
Apr 30, 1972
EF3
41 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 30, 1972
EF3
76 km
6.8 mi
0
Apr 30, 1972
EF3
47 km
13.1 mi
0
Oct 17, 1971
EF3
83 km
0.1 mi
0
May 13, 1968
EF3
24 km
140.4 mi
0
Jun 23, 1967
EF3
48 km
35.6 mi
1
Jun 16, 1962
EF3
42 km
34.6 mi
0
Jul 20, 1958
EF3
99 km
3.3 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: HODGEMAN COUNTY (8,518 acres, 2017).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2017
HODGEMAN COUNTY
8,518
99 km
2006
HODGEMAN WEST
4,051
76 km
2017
2017-117
3,103
69 km
2008
GOVE EAST
1,849
65 km
1995
UNNAMED
1,417
40 km
2006
UNNAMED
1,154
93 km
1996
UNNAMED
1,154
60 km
2023
ARMSTRONG
1,128
78 km
2016
BARRETT
1,101
95 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
30°F (-1°C)
0.6 in
Coldest
February
34°F (1°C)
0.6 in
March
42°F (6°C)
1.4 in
April
52°F (11°C)
1.7 in
May
62°F (17°C)
3.0 in
June
73°F (23°C)
2.9 in
July
78°F (26°C)
3.0 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
76°F (24°C)
2.5 in
September
67°F (19°C)
1.7 in
October
55°F (13°C)
1.0 in
November
40°F (4°C)
1.0 in
December
32°F (-0°C)
0.5 in
Driest
Scott City has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 30°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.0") and December the driest (0.5").