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Weather & Climate in Sylvia, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sylvia 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 317 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 30.3 inches. The area receives 9.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,737 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 55.1°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 317 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,737 ft (529 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 621/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.9589°N, 98.4087°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Reno County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pratt Regional (PTT) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 80.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 33.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 73.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,769 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Jan 31, 2022 | 7 km NW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.5 | 135 km | 8 km |
| Jun 9, 2018 | 8 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Jul 20, 2015 | 7 km SSE of Byron, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 125 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2014 | 9 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma | M4.3 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 38 km | 5 km |
| Feb 19, 2021 | 6 km SW of Manchester, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 114 km | 7 km |
| Feb 5, 2015 | 8 km NE of Cherokee, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 128 km | 4 km |
| Jan 26, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 138 km | 7 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.1 | 36 km | 5 km |
| Jun 5, 2015 | 3 km SW of Danville, Kansas | M4.1 | 88 km | 2 km |
| Aug 14, 2015 | 6 km WNW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 136 km | 0 km |
| Sep 15, 1995 | 7 km NNW of Alva, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Mar 29, 2017 | 8 km W of Deer Creek, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 145 km | 3 km |
| Mar 24, 2015 | 11 km ENE of Nescatunga, Oklahoma | M4.0 | 136 km | 7 km |
| Jan 16, 2019 | 4 km ENE of South Haven, Kansas | M4.0 | 136 km | 5 km |
| May 23, 2015 | 6 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas | M4.0 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Sep 20, 2016 | 6 km NNE of Wakita, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Sep 6, 2016 | 6 km N of Wakita, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 122 km | 4 km |
| Sep 8, 2014 | 1 km NE of Medford, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 140 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
862 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 34 fatalities, 493 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF5 | 98 km | 46.0 mi | 17 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 88 km | 22.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 40 km | 48.0 mi | 1 |
| May 18, 2013 | EF4 | 95 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF4 | 52 km | 50.3 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2004 | EF4 | 87 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2001 | EF4 | 68 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF4 | 79 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF4 | 32 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1976 | EF4 | 99 km | 19.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1969 | EF4 | 75 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1950 | EF4 | 59 km | 17.1 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 1950 | EF4 | 63 km | 34.3 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 60 km | 26.6 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 76 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2015 | EF3 | 45 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2015 | EF3 | 68 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2012 | EF3 | 78 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2012 | EF3 | 69 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 43 km | 39.7 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 | 82 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 97 km |
| 2016 | BURMAC | 10,668 | 66 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,987 | 48 km |
| 2022 | GARFIELD | 8,650 | 69 km |
| 2008 | LARKIN | 8,397 | 86 km |
| 1988 | SMOKY HILL AIR FORCE RANGE | 7,665 | 98 km |
| 2017 | HIGHLANDS | 7,418 | 50 km |
| 2022 | COTTONWOOD COMPLEX | 6,487 | 60 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 6,406 | 25 km |
| 2006 | TWELTH STREET | 6,282 | 67 km |
| 2018 | RICE COUNTY | 5,504 | 52 km |
| 2011 | JORDEN SPRINGS | 5,488 | 19 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,168 | 54 km |
| 2020 | WHEAT STATE | 4,847 | 68 km |
| 2008 | LAKE CITY | 4,643 | 81 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 4,558 | 20 km |
| 2021 | BOILING SPRINGS | 4,299 | 21 km |
| 1989 | SLEEPER | 4,269 | 27 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,113 | 98 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 | 36°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.0 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 2.8 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 44°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 0.9 in |
Sylvia has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 31°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.6").