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Weather & Climate in Speed, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Speed experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 79°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 25.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.0 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 1,851 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 53.2°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,851 ft (564 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 153/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.6763°N, 99.4210°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Phillips County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hays Regional (HYS) 58 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 40.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 49.8 / 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 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
146 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 | 51 km | 3 km |
| Jul 17, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.8 | 113 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 108 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 57 km | 11 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 89 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 51 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 110 km | 16 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 27 km | 13 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 106 km | 15 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas | M3.3 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.3 | 111 km | 13 km |
| Sep 14, 2016 | 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 90 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
602 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 150 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF4 | 87 km | 131.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 29 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 24 km | 56.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1955 | EF4 | 78 km | 61.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1951 | EF4 | 82 km | 0.8 mi | 5 |
| May 27, 2013 | EF3 | 78 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 34 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 44 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 31 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2008 | EF3 | 97 km | 18.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 37 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 97 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1991 | EF3 | 27 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 56 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 85 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1980 | EF3 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF3 | 97 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1969 | EF3 | 83 km | 47.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 1964 | EF3 | 98 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1957 | EF3 | 30 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FOUR COUNTY (122,971 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | FOUR COUNTY | 122,971 | 74 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 702 | 45,166 | 85 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 739 | 32,997 | 90 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,328 | 71 km |
| 2017 | GORHAM | 4,054 | 91 km |
| 2017 | FELLHOELTER | 1,664 | 31 km |
| 2024 | CODELL RD | 1,609 | 78 km |
| 2010 | H-RX-F KIR NON NFP | 1,435 | 22 km |
| 2022 | KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX | 1,367 | 21 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 49 km |
| 2016 | KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS | 1,123 | 17 km |
| 2011 | W-RX-F NON FUNDED TREATMENT_KSKIR | 1,083 | 17 km |
| 2023 | NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON | 1,061 | 92 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 39 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,029 | 54 km |
| 2008 | H RX F BOTTOMS | 1,009 | 23 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,009 | 28 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 2.9 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in |
Speed has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 28°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.4").