Weather & Climate in Wichita, KS

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Wichita enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 312 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 26.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,309 feet.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	59.2°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	36°F (2°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	312 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,309 ft (399 m)
Area	163.6 sq mi (423.7 km²)
Population Density	2,402/sq mi
Coordinates	37.6906°N, 97.3458°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Sedgwick County County
Nearest Airport	Wichita Dwight D Eisenhower Ntl (ICT) 6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.9"

29% below US avg

Snowfall 10.3"

Wettest Month (Jun) 4.53"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	96.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	29.9 / 100
Community Resilience	70.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very High
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Very High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Very High
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2,523 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.

Sep 3, 2016	14 km NW of Pawnee, Oklahoma	M5.8	146 km	6 km
Jan 31, 2022	7 km NW of Medford, Oklahoma	M4.5	101 km	8 km
Jan 19, 2020	2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.5	66 km	5 km
Jun 9, 2018	8 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma	M4.4	121 km	10 km
Jul 20, 2015	7 km SSE of Byron, Oklahoma	M4.4	124 km	4 km
May 17, 2019	8 km E of Pond Creek, Oklahoma	M4.4	118 km	5 km
Jul 29, 2014	9 km E of Nescatunga, Oklahoma	M4.3	121 km	5 km
Sep 8, 2017	9 km ESE of Jefferson, Oklahoma	M4.3	114 km	6 km
Feb 19, 2021	6 km SW of Manchester, Oklahoma	M4.2	104 km	7 km
Jun 21, 2020	9 km NW of Perry, Oklahoma	M4.2	148 km	8 km
Feb 5, 2015	8 km NE of Cherokee, Oklahoma	M4.2	128 km	4 km
Jan 26, 2015	5 km NNE of Medford, Oklahoma	M4.2	99 km	7 km
Aug 16, 2019	3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.2	67 km	5 km
Mar 5, 2018	5 km NNW of Breckinridge, Oklahoma	M4.2	139 km	8 km
Mar 4, 2018	4 km N of Breckinridge, Oklahoma	M4.2	139 km	8 km
Aug 18, 2019	5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas	M4.1	68 km	5 km
Aug 14, 2015	6 km WNW of Medford, Oklahoma	M4.1	104 km	0 km
Sep 15, 1995	7 km NNW of Alva, Oklahoma	M4.1	150 km	5 km
Jun 5, 2015	3 km SW of Danville, Kansas	M4.1	69 km	2 km
Mar 29, 2017	8 km W of Deer Creek, Oklahoma	M4.1	100 km	3 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

780 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 129 fatalities, 973 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 26, 1991	EF5	27 km	46.0 mi	17
Mar 13, 1990	EF5	60 km	48.0 mi	1
Mar 13, 1990	EF5	52 km	22.0 mi	1
May 25, 1955	EF5	92 km	56.4 mi	80
May 12, 2004	EF4	74 km	1.2 mi	0
May 3, 1999	EF4	42 km	24.0 mi	6
Jun 15, 1992	EF4	81 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 26, 1991	EF4	71 km	25.0 mi	1
Mar 26, 1991	EF4	69 km	13.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 1969	EF4	27 km	8.7 mi	0
Jun 10, 1958	EF4	34 km	9.0 mi	15
Jun 8, 1950	EF4	88 km	17.1 mi	1
Apr 29, 2022	EF3	15 km	12.7 mi	0
Jun 26, 2018	EF3	92 km	9.2 mi	0
Jul 7, 2016	EF3	84 km	4.2 mi	0
Jul 13, 2015	EF3	79 km	5.3 mi	0
May 6, 2015	EF3	32 km	16.5 mi	0
May 19, 2012	EF3	90 km	9.7 mi	0
May 19, 2012	EF3	87 km	9.7 mi	0
Apr 14, 2012	EF3	72 km	18.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RD 80 (63,061 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	RD 80	63,061	99 km
2014	UNNAMED	60,976	73 km
2002	UNNAMED	26,655	84 km
2016	UNNAMED	15,100	86 km
2016	FERGUSON RANCH	13,625	77 km
1991	UNNAMED	13,063	78 km
1989	UNNAMED	12,241	76 km
2002	WEST UNIT	11,187	98 km
1996	UNNAMED	10,911	86 km
2016	BURMAC	10,668	52 km
1994	UNNAMED	8,987	80 km
2004	UNNAMED	8,183	80 km
2002	UNNAMED	8,105	48 km
2017	HIGHLANDS	7,418	74 km
2022	UNNAMED	6,531	97 km
2022	COTTONWOOD COMPLEX	6,487	53 km
2006	TWELTH STREET	6,282	51 km
1996	UNNAMED	6,069	59 km
2003	UNNAMED	5,841	91 km
2018	RICE COUNTY	5,504	83 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	36°F (2°C)	0.8 in	Driest
February	37°F (3°C)	0.9 in
March	46°F (8°C)	2.5 in
April	56°F (14°C)	2.9 in
May	66°F (19°C)	4.3 in
June	76°F (24°C)	4.5 in	Wettest
July	80°F (27°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
August	80°F (26°C)	3.1 in
September	71°F (22°C)	3.4 in
October	59°F (15°C)	2.5 in
November	45°F (7°C)	1.9 in
December	34°F (1°C)	1.2 in	Coldest

Wichita has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 34°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.8").

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