All Countries
Weather & Climate in Wakefield, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wakefield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 28°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 31.9 inches. The area receives 10.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,261 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 54.3°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,261 ft (384 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,062/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.2164°N, 97.0188°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Clay County County |
| Nearest Airport | Manhattan Regional (MHK) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 16.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 46.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.3 / 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 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
142 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 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.8 | 130 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 111 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2020 | 6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.5 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 130 km | 5 km |
| May 15, 2025 | 5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas | M3.5 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Oct 10, 2024 | 6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas | M3.5 | 49 km | 10 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 130 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 113 km | 16 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 118 km | 15 km |
| Aug 2, 2025 | 6 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas | M3.4 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Aug 4, 2025 | 5 km E of Assaria, Kansas | M3.3 | 75 km | 10 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.3 | 112 km | 13 km |
| Jan 9, 2013 | 5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas | M3.3 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 7 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas | M3.3 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2023 | 6 km N of Bennington, Kansas | M3.3 | 51 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
598 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 302 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 25, 2016 | EF4 | 44 km | 25.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF4 | 28 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 60 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 92 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF4 | 64 km | 44.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | EF3 | 53 km | 2.2 mi | 1 |
| May 1, 2018 | EF3 | 81 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 6, 2016 | EF3 | 62 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2015 | EF3 | 85 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 92 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 63 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 37 km | 15.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 77 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2008 | EF3 | 99 km | 55.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 70 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 82 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1985 | EF3 | 71 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1978 | EF3 | 56 km | 37.0 mi | 3 |
| Sep 25, 1973 | EF3 | 52 km | 69.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF3 | 38 km | 1.5 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 | 93 km |
| 2000 | WEST SIDE MVD | 18,701 | 89 km |
| 2016 | BURLEY HILL | 16,381 | 39 km |
| 2023 | WAGSTAFF | 16,111 | 74 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 15,512 | 86 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 14,832 | 98 km |
| 2010 | RANGE 51 | 13,760 | 25 km |
| 2001 | TALLGRASS 01 | 10,737 | 93 km |
| 2009 | MA-KILO | 8,935 | 16 km |
| 2024 | AXELTON-BURKLUND | 8,831 | 43 km |
| 2019 | 2019-3238A | 8,632 | 23 km |
| 2018 | ROCK WALL | 8,468 | 88 km |
| 2023 | SMITH HILLS | 8,445 | 52 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 7,758 | 13 km |
| 2004 | TALLGRASS 04 | 7,733 | 94 km |
| 1988 | SMOKY HILL AIR FORCE RANGE | 7,665 | 90 km |
| 2005 | TALLGRASS 2005 | 7,510 | 94 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,465 | 24 km |
| 2015 | IMPACT | 7,242 | 23 km |
| 2019 | 19 EAST TRAPS TWO SECTION NORTH | 6,804 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 33°F (1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.9 in |
Wakefield has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 28°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.8") and January the driest (0.6").