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Weather & Climate in The Highlands, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
The Highlands enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 302 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 32.9 inches. The area receives 6.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,689 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 56.6°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,689 ft (515 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 460/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.1659°N, 97.9496°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | McPherson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hutchinson Regional (HUT) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 91.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,081 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Jan 31, 2022 | 7 km NW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.5 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.5 | 16 km | 5 km |
| Jul 20, 2015 | 7 km SSE of Byron, Oklahoma | M4.4 | 150 km | 4 km |
| Jan 26, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 148 km | 7 km |
| Feb 19, 2021 | 6 km SW of Manchester, Oklahoma | M4.2 | 134 km | 7 km |
| Aug 16, 2019 | 3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.2 | 16 km | 5 km |
| Aug 14, 2015 | 6 km WNW of Medford, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Jun 5, 2015 | 3 km SW of Danville, Kansas | M4.1 | 100 km | 2 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas | M4.1 | 18 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2019 | 4 km ENE of South Haven, Kansas | M4.0 | 133 km | 5 km |
| May 23, 2015 | 6 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas | M4.0 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Sep 6, 2016 | 6 km N of Wakita, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 137 km | 4 km |
| Sep 20, 2016 | 6 km NNE of Wakita, Oklahoma | M3.9 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas | M3.8 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Mar 3, 2015 | 4 km W of Freeport, Kansas | M3.8 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Dec 16, 2013 | 10 km SE of Freeport, Kansas | M3.8 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 2019 | 0 km SW of Wakita, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2018 | 3 km WNW of Byron, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 144 km | 8 km |
| Aug 22, 2015 | 9 km WNW of Medford, Oklahoma | M3.8 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Sep 6, 2016 | 4 km NNW of Wakita, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 138 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
818 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 49 fatalities, 632 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF5 | 88 km | 46.0 mi | 17 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 46 km | 22.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF5 | 45 km | 48.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF4 | 38 km | 50.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2001 | EF4 | 81 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF4 | 96 km | 25.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF4 | 33 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1991 | EF4 | 24 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1969 | EF4 | 63 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1958 | EF4 | 89 km | 9.0 mi | 15 |
| Jun 8, 1950 | EF4 | 18 km | 17.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 29, 2022 | EF3 | 90 km | 12.7 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 2018 | EF3 | 86 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 94 km | 26.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 6, 2016 | EF3 | 80 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2015 | EF3 | 4 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2015 | EF3 | 45 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 99 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2012 | EF3 | 93 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2012 | EF3 | 87 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (14,832 acres, 1988).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 66 km |
| 2016 | BURMAC | 10,668 | 26 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,987 | 6 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 8,105 | 96 km |
| 1988 | SMOKY HILL AIR FORCE RANGE | 7,665 | 61 km |
| 2017 | HIGHLANDS | 7,418 | 3 km |
| 2022 | COTTONWOOD COMPLEX | 6,487 | 23 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 6,406 | 39 km |
| 2006 | TWELTH STREET | 6,282 | 27 km |
| 2018 | RICE COUNTY | 5,504 | 10 km |
| 2011 | JORDEN SPRINGS | 5,488 | 38 km |
| 2016 | TAMPA | 4,993 | 80 km |
| 2020 | WHEAT STATE | 4,847 | 28 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 4,558 | 37 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,532 | 98 km |
| 2021 | BOILING SPRINGS | 4,299 | 50 km |
| 1989 | SLEEPER | 4,269 | 48 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,113 | 62 km |
| 2010 | BIG SALT MARSH | 3,960 | 50 km |
| 1991 | ROAD 484 | 3,626 | 49 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 44°F (6°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 1.0 in |
The Highlands has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 32°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.6").