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Weather & Climate in Topeka, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Topeka enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 301 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 35.4 inches. The area receives 14.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 948 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.8°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 948 ft (289 m) |
| Area | 61.5 sq mi (159.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,037/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.0347°N, 95.6948°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Shawnee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Philip Billard Municipal (TOP) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 35.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 85.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
37 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Sep 16, 2019 | 15 km NW of Elmdale, Kansas | M3.8 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2020 | 6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.5 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Oct 10, 2024 | 6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas | M3.5 | 119 km | 10 km |
| May 15, 2025 | 5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas | M3.5 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Mar 24, 2020 | 8 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.3 | 121 km | 5 km |
| May 8, 2021 | 2 km E of Hope, Kansas | M3.2 | 123 km | 5 km |
| May 8, 2021 | 4 km ENE of Hope, Kansas | M3.2 | 121 km | 4 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 11 km E of Marion, Kansas | M3.2 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 13 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M3.2 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2020 | 2 km WNW of Hope, Kansas | M3.1 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 57 km | 5 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 4 km NE of Hope, Kansas | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Jan 29, 2020 | 9 km ENE of Marion, Kansas | M3.1 | 128 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2020 | 4 km SE of Marion, Kansas | M2.8 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jan 22, 2023 | 7 km SW of Woodbine, Kansas | M2.8 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2021 | 6 km NE of Hope, Kansas | M2.8 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jan 29, 2020 | 11 km SSE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.8 | 126 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
623 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 97 fatalities, 1,341 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF5 | 23 km | 21.1 mi | 16 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF5 | 67 km | 69.4 mi | 44 |
| May 28, 2019 | EF4 | 36 km | 29.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF4 | 88 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 75 km | 21.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 8, 1974 | EF4 | 82 km | 37.5 mi | 6 |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF4 | 47 km | 19.9 mi | 1 |
| Aug 6, 1962 | EF4 | 55 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1961 | EF4 | 68 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 27 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 56 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1952 | EF4 | 42 km | 26.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | EF3 | 75 km | 2.2 mi | 1 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 79 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2011 | EF3 | 65 km | 10.1 mi | 1 |
| May 29, 2004 | EF3 | 92 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 51 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1985 | EF3 | 66 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 47 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1983 | EF3 | 21 km | 19.0 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ANNUAL BUR (60,039 acres, 1998).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1998 | ANNUAL BUR | 60,039 | 98 km |
| 2000 | WEST SIDE MVD | 18,701 | 100 km |
| 2016 | BURLEY HILL | 16,381 | 82 km |
| 2023 | WAGSTAFF | 16,111 | 56 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 15,512 | 51 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 99 km |
| 2010 | RANGE 51 | 13,760 | 91 km |
| 2024 | AXELTON-BURKLUND | 8,831 | 99 km |
| 2019 | 2019-3238A | 8,632 | 93 km |
| 2023 | SMITH HILLS | 8,445 | 65 km |
| 2018 | 190 AND YY RD | 7,919 | 98 km |
| 2004 | TALLGRASS 04 | 7,733 | 99 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,465 | 92 km |
| 2015 | IMPACT | 7,242 | 93 km |
| 2019 | 19 EAST TRAPS TWO SECTION NORTH | 6,804 | 98 km |
| 2014 | MOYER RANCH | 6,641 | 83 km |
| 2002 | TALLGRASS 02 | 6,311 | 100 km |
| 2022 | CARLSON | 6,101 | 97 km |
| 2001 | WEST UNIT | 6,060 | 98 km |
| 2005 | OAKS | 5,673 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 32°F (0°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
Topeka has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 32°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.2") and January the driest (0.9").