Kansas is known for having three distinct climate types. Most of the state features a continental climate consisting of warm-to-hot summers and relatively cool winters, although the spring and fall seasons often exhibit more unpredictable weather patterns.
The weather differs in the southwestern portion of Kansas. This region has a steppe climate, which is generally more temperate but semi-arid, with average annual precipitation amounts typically ranging from approximately 13 to 16 inches. Other parts of Kansas have a more Mediterranean climate, with warmer, wetter winters and prevailing westerly winds. The summers are relatively dry, hot and calm.
Extreme thunderstorms are a common occurrence in many parts of Kansas during the summer months because of the state’s location in the middle of the continental U.S. The weather patterns cause cold, dry air and warm, moist air to merge, resulting in this phenomenon.