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Weather & Climate in WaKeeney, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
WaKeeney experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 30°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 23.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 20.3 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 2,452 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 53.9°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 326 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,452 ft (747 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,033/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.0234°N, 99.8815°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Graham County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hays Regional (HYS) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 42.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
83 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 | 45 km | 3 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 29 km | 11 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 46 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 80 km | 13 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 27 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2016 | 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 27 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas | M3.3 | 41 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2023 | 12 km S of Alton, Kansas | M3.2 | 89 km | 7 km |
| Mar 13, 2025 | 0 km SE of Glen Elder, Kansas | M3.2 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Sep 19, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.2 | 26 km | 3 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | Kansas | M3.1 | 48 km | 4 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 26 km | 9 km |
| Aug 31, 2016 | 9 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 27 km | 5 km |
| Apr 17, 2003 | 4 km WNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2025 | 2 km SW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 42 km | 12 km |
| Jan 7, 1999 | 5 km WNW of Liebenthal, Kansas | M3.0 | 58 km | 5 km |
| May 11, 2019 | 5 km NNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 45 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
654 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 136 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 23, 2008 | EF4 | 37 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 61 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1951 | EF4 | 1 km | 0.8 mi | 5 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 91 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF3 | 93 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 99 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 52 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 80 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2008 | EF3 | 46 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2005 | EF3 | 22 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 90 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1998 | EF3 | 37 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1991 | EF3 | 60 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1990 | EF3 | 47 km | 37.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 24 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 36 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1980 | EF3 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF3 | 65 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF3 | 66 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF3 | 69 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
19 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FOUR COUNTY (122,971 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | FOUR COUNTY | 122,971 | 73 km |
| 2022 | NESS/ELLIS COUNTY | 14,699 | 44 km |
| 2017 | HODGEMAN COUNTY | 8,518 | 98 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,328 | 57 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 4,972 | 41 km |
| 2017 | GORHAM | 4,054 | 76 km |
| 2008 | GOVE EAST | 1,849 | 43 km |
| 2017 | FELLHOELTER | 1,664 | 60 km |
| 2024 | CODELL RD | 1,609 | 64 km |
| 2021 | NORTH LAKE | 1,530 | 23 km |
| 2010 | H-RX-F KIR NON NFP | 1,435 | 94 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,417 | 72 km |
| 2022 | KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX | 1,367 | 91 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 91 km |
| 2016 | KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS | 1,123 | 92 km |
| 2011 | W-RX-F NON FUNDED TREATMENT_KSKIR | 1,083 | 92 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 80 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,029 | 32 km |
| 2008 | H RX F BOTTOMS | 1,009 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 33°F (1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 2.7 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.6 in |
WaKeeney has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 30°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.6").