Oakley has chilly winters and hot summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 92°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 26 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Oakley at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Oakley’s climate
Read from where Oakley sits among Kansas’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
26 inches of snow, 20 of rain and melt
July is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 73 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Living with Oakley’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
156 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 6 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 9.
About 26" a winter over 9 days with an inch or more, most in February. Snow covers the ground about 25 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 85% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 60 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 92°.
The nicest months are May and September. 59 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →What a year in Oakley feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 156 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 6 and the first by October 9.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Oakley and its neighbors
Grinnell has the coldest January nights next door (17°) and Elkader the hottest July afternoons (92°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Oakley averaged 1.0° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in March (+2.9°).
A smaller shift than in 73% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Oakley compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Kansas.
Oakley weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44° | 17° | 0.4" | 4.5" | 3 | 6 | 19° – 39° |
| February | 47° | 20° | 0.5" | 6.6" | 4 | 7 | 24° – 41° |
| March | 57° | 28° | 1.1" | 4.2" | 5 | 3 | 36° – 52° |
| April | 66° | 36° | 1.8" | 1.8" | 7 | 1 | 46° – 57° |
| May | 76° | 47° | 3.0" | 0.4" | 10 | 0 | 54° – 67° |
| June | 87° | 58° | 2.8" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 67° – 78° |
| July | 92° | 63° | 3.4" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 73° – 82° |
| August | 89° | 61° | 2.8" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 69° – 80° |
| September | 82° | 52° | 1.6" | 0 | 6 | 0 | 61° – 74° |
| October | 69° | 39° | 1.6" | 1.2" | 6 | 1 | 45° – 59° |
| November | 55° | 27° | 0.6" | 2.5" | 3 | 2 | 32° – 48° |
| December | 44° | 18° | 0.5" | 4.5" | 3 | 5 | 23° – 36° |
| Year | 67° | 39° | 20.0" | 25.7" | 73 | 25 |
Heating and cooling a home in Oakley
85% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. January swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 19° to 39°. July is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Oakley’s climate
What is the coldest month in Oakley?
January, with a typical high of 44° and a low of 17°.
What is the hottest month in Oakley?
July, with a typical high of 92° and a low of 63°. About 60 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Oakley get?
About 26 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Oakley?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 9, and the last spring frost by May 6.
What is the rainiest month in Oakley?
July, with 3.4 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 20 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Oakley.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Oakley itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Oakley 4w, KS (7 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.