Salina's 2026 Summer Slightly Warmer Than 2025

Salina’s summer has been slightly warmer overall than the same stretch of 2025, driven more by warmer nights and additional triple-digit days than by a broad increase in daytime highs.

From June 1 through Aug. 16, the average daily temperature at Salina Municipal Airport was 80.4 degrees, compared with 79.4 degrees during the same 77-day period last year, according to National Weather Service and NOAA station data.

The average high this summer was 91.2 degrees, only three-tenths of a degree above last year’s 90.9-degree average. The average low, however, rose to 69.7 degrees from 67.9 degrees — a difference of 1.7 degrees.

Both summers produced 47 days with highs of at least 90 degrees. The distribution of the hottest days was different: Salina recorded 10 days at or above 100 degrees this year, up from six during the comparable period in 2025. This summer’s highest temperature was 110 degrees on Aug. 9. Last year’s highest was 105 degrees on Aug. 8.

There were fewer days in the middle of that range this year. Salina had 21 days at or above 95 degrees through Aug. 16, compared with 27 last year. Overnight heat was more persistent, with lows staying at or above 70 degrees on 38 days this summer, compared with 33 days in 2025.

Rainfall has been similar, but 2026 holds a narrow edge. The airport recorded 7.93 inches from June 1 through Aug. 16, compared with 7.61 inches over the same dates last year. Measurable precipitation fell on 21 days this summer and 19 days last summer.

This year had three days with at least an inch of rain, compared with two last year. The largest single-day total so far in 2026 was 1.43 inches on June 8. The comparable 2025 period included a heavier single-day total of 2.07 inches on July 21.

The comparison covers meteorological summer through Aug. 16 rather than the full season, allowing the same dates in both years to be measured side by side. All 77 daily high, low and precipitation observations were available for both periods.

(Measurements come from the official station at Salina Municipal Airport and may differ from conditions at individual locations around Saline County)

Source: National Weather Service API and NOAA Regional Climate Center ACIS archive, Salina Municipal Airport station KSLN.