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Weather & Climate in Wakarusa, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wakarusa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 80°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 36.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,008 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 55.4°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,008 ft (307 m) |
| Area | 5.0 sq mi (12.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 42/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.8938°N, 95.7049°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Osage County County |
| Nearest Airport | Topeka Regional (FOE) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 35.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 59.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| 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 Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
36 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 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2020 | 6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.5 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Oct 10, 2024 | 6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas | M3.5 | 115 km | 10 km |
| May 15, 2025 | 5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas | M3.5 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Mar 24, 2020 | 8 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.3 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2019 | 5 km NNE of Kipp, Kansas | M3.2 | 149 km | 5 km |
| May 8, 2021 | 2 km E of Hope, Kansas | M3.2 | 119 km | 5 km |
| May 8, 2021 | 4 km ENE of Hope, Kansas | M3.2 | 116 km | 4 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 13 km SE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M3.2 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 11 km E of Marion, Kansas | M3.2 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2020 | 2 km WNW of Hope, Kansas | M3.1 | 123 km | 5 km |
| May 7, 2021 | 4 km NE of Hope, Kansas | M3.1 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jan 29, 2020 | 9 km ENE of Marion, Kansas | M3.1 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 71 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Jan 29, 2020 | 11 km SSE of Lincolnville, Kansas | M2.8 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2020 | 4 km SE of Marion, Kansas | M2.8 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Jan 22, 2023 | 7 km SW of Woodbine, Kansas | M2.8 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2021 | 6 km NE of Hope, Kansas | M2.8 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jun 5, 2020 | 8 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas | M2.7 | 118 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
613 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 100 fatalities, 1,343 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF5 | 19 km | 21.1 mi | 16 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF5 | 53 km | 69.4 mi | 44 |
| May 28, 2019 | EF4 | 30 km | 29.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF4 | 91 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2007 | EF4 | 100 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 78 km | 21.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 8, 1974 | EF4 | 69 km | 37.5 mi | 6 |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF4 | 55 km | 19.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 93 km | 19.4 mi | 3 |
| Aug 6, 1962 | EF4 | 70 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1961 | EF4 | 74 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 38 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 61 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1952 | EF4 | 43 km | 26.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | EF3 | 84 km | 2.2 mi | 1 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 93 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2011 | EF3 | 50 km | 10.1 mi | 1 |
| May 8, 2003 | EF3 | 35 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1985 | EF3 | 61 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 61 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
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 | 88 km |
| 2000 | WEST SIDE MVD | 18,701 | 91 km |
| 2016 | BURLEY HILL | 16,381 | 82 km |
| 2023 | WAGSTAFF | 16,111 | 52 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 15,512 | 44 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 87 km |
| 2010 | RANGE 51 | 13,760 | 94 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 12,063 | 88 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 11,123 | 97 km |
| 2001 | TALLGRASS 01 | 10,737 | 92 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 9,081 | 91 km |
| 2019 | 2019-3238A | 8,632 | 97 km |
| 2018 | ROCK WALL | 8,468 | 94 km |
| 2023 | SMITH HILLS | 8,445 | 68 km |
| 2018 | 190 AND YY RD | 7,919 | 86 km |
| 2004 | TALLGRASS 04 | 7,733 | 88 km |
| 2005 | TALLGRASS 2005 | 7,510 | 91 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,465 | 96 km |
| 2015 | IMPACT | 7,242 | 97 km |
| 2019 | 19 EAST TRAPS TWO SECTION NORTH | 6,804 | 87 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 33°F (1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 2.6 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°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) | 1.4 in |
Wakarusa has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 30°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.2") and January the driest (0.9").