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Weather & Climate in Waterville, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Waterville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 79°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 33.6 inches. The area receives 15.8 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 1,175 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 53.5°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,175 ft (358 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,527/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.6917°N, 96.7468°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Marshall County County |
| Nearest Airport | Manhattan Regional (MHK) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 21.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 36.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 90.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
147 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 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.8 | 125 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 122 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Oct 10, 2024 | 6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas | M3.5 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Mar 12, 2020 | 6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas | M3.5 | 109 km | 5 km |
| May 15, 2025 | 5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas | M3.5 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 125 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 119 km | 16 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 124 km | 15 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Aug 2, 2025 | 6 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas | M3.4 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 7 km ENE of Assaria, Kansas | M3.3 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2023 | 6 km N of Bennington, Kansas | M3.3 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Aug 4, 2025 | 5 km E of Assaria, Kansas | M3.3 | 132 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
615 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 390 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 25, 2016 | EF4 | 98 km | 25.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF4 | 63 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2004 | EF4 | 86 km | 54.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 6, 1962 | EF4 | 85 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 89 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 70 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1957 | EF4 | 91 km | 44.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | EF3 | 43 km | 2.2 mi | 1 |
| May 21, 2019 | EF3 | 74 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2015 | EF3 | 71 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 67 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 54 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 95 km | 15.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 24, 1993 | EF3 | 73 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 34 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 83 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1978 | EF3 | 52 km | 37.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 30, 1972 | EF3 | 95 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1971 | EF3 | 100 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF3 | 69 km | 13.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BURLEY HILL (16,381 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | BURLEY HILL | 16,381 | 76 km |
| 2010 | RANGE 51 | 13,760 | 58 km |
| 2009 | MA-KILO | 8,935 | 51 km |
| 2024 | AXELTON-BURKLUND | 8,831 | 23 km |
| 2019 | 2019-3238A | 8,632 | 56 km |
| 2023 | SMITH HILLS | 8,445 | 72 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 7,758 | 50 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,465 | 56 km |
| 2015 | IMPACT | 7,242 | 56 km |
| 2014 | MOYER RANCH | 6,641 | 74 km |
| 2022 | CARLSON | 6,101 | 23 km |
| 2005 | OAKS | 5,673 | 64 km |
| 2013 | IMPACT COMPLEX | 5,233 | 60 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 5,159 | 57 km |
| 2012 | CALFEX COMPLEX | 5,122 | 51 km |
| 2017 | WARREN ROAD | 5,037 | 86 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,425 | 58 km |
| 2014 | SHANNON CREEK | 3,954 | 23 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,595 | 54 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,244 | 62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in |
Waterville has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 27°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (0.6").