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Weather & Climate in Wathena, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wathena experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 78°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 34.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 815 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 53.7°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 815 ft (248 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 625/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.7611°N, 94.9275°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Buchanan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kansas City International (MCI) 34 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 32.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 89.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 83 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2025 | 3 km W of Hale, Missouri | M2.5 | 133 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
561 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 348 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 2004 | EF4 | 59 km | 22.0 mi | 3 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 70 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 77 km | 21.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 29, 1979 | EF4 | 82 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF4 | 93 km | 48.6 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF4 | 81 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1975 | EF4 | 82 km | 11.4 mi | 1 |
| Jun 8, 1966 | EF4 | 69 km | 19.9 mi | 1 |
| Aug 6, 1962 | EF4 | 78 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1961 | EF4 | 66 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | EF4 | 96 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1952 | EF4 | 90 km | 26.9 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2019 | EF3 | 88 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 98 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 64 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2004 | EF3 | 28 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2001 | EF3 | 84 km | 76.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 59 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1981 | EF3 | 93 km | 7.7 mi | 1 |
| Mar 29, 1979 | EF3 | 91 km | 29.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: 4 DELTA 21 (1,708 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | 4 DELTA 21 | 1,708 | 97 km |
| 2011 | 182 | 1,575 | 96 km |
| 2018 | FY 18 182 ROAD BROADCAST BURN | 1,009 | 91 km |
| 2020 | MOSQR-FY20-RX-WUI | 964 | 48 km |
| 2012 | HIGHWAY E | 897 | 95 km |
| 2016 | SQR BM SL DESOTO 2016 WUI RX | 866 | 48 km |
| 1988 | NORTH POOL | 698 | 48 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 645 | 47 km |
| 2009 | UNIT 6 | 625 | 46 km |
| 2002 | SCRDGRS 6 | 536 | 45 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 2.3 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 4.7 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.4 in |
Wathena has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 27°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and January the driest (0.9").