Weather & Climate in Zurich, KS

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

Zurich experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 78°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 26.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 19.7 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 2,214 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	53.3°F
	1% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,214 ft (675 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density	389/sq mi
Coordinates	39.2323°N, 99.4347°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Rooks County County
Nearest Airport	Hays Regional (HYS) 28 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.1"

31% below US avg

Snowfall 19.7"

Wettest Month (May) 3.46"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	14.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	48.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

146 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	2 km	3 km
Jul 17, 2022	8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska	M3.8	138 km	3 km
Jun 12, 2017	5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.7	123 km	5 km
Jun 12, 2017	8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas	M3.7	126 km	5 km
Jun 13, 2017	6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.6	123 km	5 km
May 6, 2021	5 km S of Formoso, Kansas	M3.6	135 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2025	9 km S of Hill City, Kansas	M3.5	35 km	11 km
May 30, 1991	5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	5 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2021	Kansas	M3.5	105 km	5 km
May 31, 2019	2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas	M3.5	2 km	5 km
May 21, 2017	7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.4	126 km	16 km
Jun 25, 2025	10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas	M3.4	37 km	13 km
Apr 4, 2017	3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.4	122 km	15 km
Sep 18, 2023	Nebraska	M3.4	142 km	10 km
Jul 26, 2022	8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska	M3.4	137 km	5 km
Jul 15, 1992	19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas	M3.3	53 km	5 km
Sep 16, 2016	8 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.3	27 km	5 km
Apr 7, 2017	7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas	M3.3	126 km	13 km
Sep 14, 2016	10 km N of Ellis, Kansas	M3.3	25 km	5 km
Jul 29, 2021	11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas	M3.3	107 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

665 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 184 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 23, 2008	EF4	81 km	11.4 mi	0
Apr 21, 2001	EF4	99 km	5.0 mi	1
May 7, 1993	EF4	87 km	25.5 mi	1
May 10, 1985	EF4	61 km	56.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF4	21 km	33.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1955	EF4	84 km	61.9 mi	0
Jun 27, 1951	EF4	45 km	0.8 mi	5
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	78 km	8.4 mi	0
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	47 km	11.9 mi	0
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	63 km	3.9 mi	0
May 29, 2008	EF3	99 km	18.9 mi	0
May 23, 2008	EF3	79 km	9.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 2005	EF3	65 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 3, 1999	EF3	74 km	10.0 mi	0
Oct 16, 1998	EF3	56 km	26.0 mi	0
Apr 11, 1991	EF3	22 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 1990	EF3	73 km	37.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF3	9 km	30.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF3	38 km	10.0 mi	0
Oct 16, 1980	EF3	49 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FOUR COUNTY (122,971 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	FOUR COUNTY	122,971	38 km
2022	NESS/ELLIS COUNTY	14,699	60 km
1989	UNNAMED	6,328	27 km
1996	UNNAMED	4,972	55 km
2017	GORHAM	4,054	50 km
1991	UNNAMED	3,330	82 km
2008	GOVE EAST	1,849	88 km
2017	FELLHOELTER	1,664	19 km
2024	CODELL RD	1,609	36 km
2021	NORTH LAKE	1,530	56 km
2009	CRAIG NALER	1,464	82 km
2010	H-RX-F KIR NON NFP	1,435	53 km
2022	KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX	1,367	50 km
2020	PRAIRIE DOG	1,257	81 km
2016	KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS	1,123	53 km
2011	W-RX-F NON FUNDED TREATMENT_KSKIR	1,083	53 km
2002	UNNAMED	1,057	35 km
1993	UNNAMED	1,029	35 km
2008	H RX F BOTTOMS	1,009	50 km
1989	UNNAMED	1,009	77 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	32°F (0°C)	0.6 in
March	42°F (5°C)	1.9 in
April	52°F (11°C)	2.1 in
May	62°F (17°C)	3.5 in	Wettest
June	73°F (23°C)	3.0 in
July	78°F (26°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
August	76°F (25°C)	2.8 in
September	68°F (20°C)	2.3 in
October	55°F (13°C)	1.4 in
November	41°F (5°C)	0.9 in
December	31°F (-0°C)	0.5 in

Zurich has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 29°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.4").

View full profile of Zurich, KS →