The climate in Kansas is rarely lauded as pleasant. It suffers from extreme weather conditions in both summer and winter, with yearly temperatures ranging from 17°F in January to 90°F in July. Heavy rains, violent wind storms, and blinding blizzards are all common throughout the state. The climate in Kansas is notorious for changing rapidly, especially the temperature.
Statewide, the daytime highs during winter hover around 31°F between December and February, but despite frigid temperatures, there is little snowfall due to the dry conditions that dominate. Snow falls 15 days a year on average though major blizzards can roll through at any time. Summers tend to be very warm, averaging in the low 80’s (°F) between June and August, but the pervasive humidity levels of 80 to 90 percent make the air feel much hotter. Most of the precipitation falls in the spring and summer, with drier conditions in the west.
Kansas is located in America’s Tornado Alley, a swath of the Midwest that regularly gets violent thunderstorms, hail, high winds, and the occasional tornado. The most dangerous times of year are the spring and summer. From late March until May, conditions are the most volatile though tornados can appear at any time until the weather cools off in September.
Best Time to Visit Kansas
Without a doubt, the nicest weather in Kansas arrives in the fall. By the end of September, the air has cooled off to a reasonable 80°F and humidity levels start to taper off as the rains disappear with the end of summer. October is a real beauty, with daytime highs in the 70’s (°F) and reliably blue skies. This weather sometimes lingers into early November. Fall is also harvest time, which means lots of fun festivals, color on the trees, and plenty of tasty food on the menu.
There won’t be any great deals in the fall because everyone knows it’s prime time to visit Kansas. Wait until November and you will start to see lower hotel rates as visitors disappear. Winter through early spring is the low season, with some rock bottom room rates if you can handle the cold.