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Weather & Climate in Seward, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Seward enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (14°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 81°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 28.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 18.1 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 1,912 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 56.4°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,912 ft (583 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 338/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.1778°N, 98.7943°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Stafford County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pratt Regional (PTT) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 23.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 49.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
484 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 | 128 km | 3 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Feb 19, 2021 | 6 km SW of Manchester, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.1 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Jun 5, 2015 | 3 km SW of Danville, Kansas | M4.1 | 127 km | 2 km |
| Sep 15, 1995 | 7 km NNW of Alva, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 146 km | 5 km |
| May 23, 2015 | 6 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas | M4.0 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Mar 3, 2015 | 4 km W of Freeport, Kansas | M3.8 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Dec 16, 2013 | 10 km SE of Freeport, Kansas | M3.8 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2018 | 3 km WNW of Byron, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Jun 22, 2017 | 7 km SE of Harper, Kansas | M3.7 | 128 km | 4 km |
| Nov 2, 2017 | Oklahoma | M3.7 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Mar 16, 2014 | 3 km WSW of Freeport, Kansas | M3.7 | 135 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2017 | 3 km NNW of Freeport, Kansas | M3.7 | 133 km | 4 km |
| Jun 10, 2017 | 6 km SSE of Harper, Kansas | M3.7 | 127 km | 4 km |
| May 30, 2015 | 4 km SW of Bluff City, Kansas | M3.6 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Feb 10, 2015 | 4 km NNE of Anthony, Kansas | M3.6 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2017 | 6 km SE of Harper, Kansas | M3.6 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Jun 5, 2015 | 9 km SE of Harper, Kansas | M3.6 | 129 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
826 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 17 fatalities, 229 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 82 km | 48.0 mi | 1 |
| May 18, 2013 | EF4 | 59 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF4 | 53 km | 50.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2001 | EF4 | 36 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF4 | 84 km | 25.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF4 | 69 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1950 | EF4 | 77 km | 17.1 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 1950 | EF4 | 33 km | 34.3 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 20 km | 26.6 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 54 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2015 | EF3 | 70 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 27 km | 39.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 81 km | 48.0 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 52 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 79 km | 21.9 mi | 2 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 59 km | 18.2 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 34 km | 17.4 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 2007 | EF3 | 73 km | 23.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 2004 | EF3 | 64 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2002 | EF3 | 82 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: UNNAMED (16,448 acres, 1994).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 16,448 | 89 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 96 km |
| 2022 | NESS/ELLIS COUNTY | 14,699 | 90 km |
| 2016 | BURMAC | 10,668 | 99 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,987 | 72 km |
| 2022 | GARFIELD | 8,650 | 35 km |
| 2017 | HODGEMAN COUNTY | 8,518 | 93 km |
| 2008 | LARKIN | 8,397 | 97 km |
| 2017 | HIGHLANDS | 7,418 | 77 km |
| 2022 | COTTONWOOD COMPLEX | 6,487 | 94 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 6,406 | 35 km |
| 2018 | RICE COUNTY | 5,504 | 74 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 5,494 | 77 km |
| 2011 | JORDEN SPRINGS | 5,488 | 37 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,168 | 51 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 4,972 | 93 km |
| 2008 | LAKE CITY | 4,643 | 97 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 4,558 | 38 km |
| 2021 | BOILING SPRINGS | 4,299 | 25 km |
| 1989 | SLEEPER | 4,269 | 26 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 1.8 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 2.9 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 2.4 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 0.9 in |
Seward has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 32°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.5").