Information Courtesy NWS
According to data from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita, January 2025 brought bitter cold and significant snowfall to Salina, marking one of the coldest starts of the year in decades.
Coldest January in Nearly 40 Years
Salina recorded an average January temperature of 22.9°F, making it the 14th coldest January on record and tying temperatures from 1985. The extreme cold snap was most severe on January 21, when the temperature plummeted to -13°F, setting a new daily record low for that date.
Above-Average Snowfall
While temperatures stayed well below normal, Salina also experienced above-normal precipitation, ranking as the 32nd wettest January since records began in 1900. The city received 1.07 inches of precipitation, which was 0.36 inches above average, making it the wettest January since 2023.
January also saw more than 12 inches of snow drop on Salina. Read more about the January snowstorm here.
Drought Conditions Persist Despite Precipitation
Despite increased precipitation, drought conditions in north-central Kansas, including Salina, remained unchanged. As of late January, the area continued to experience abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions.
What’s Ahead for Salina?
Forecasters predict a weak La Niña will persist through early spring, bringing drier-than-normal conditions to Kansas. While February could bring a mix of temperatures, precipitation chances in western and central Kansas are expected to be slightly below normal.