Best Time for Outdoor Projects in Kansas

Kansas weather and outdoor projects

Kansas has hot summers, cold winters and strong winds, with rain decreasing from east to west. Wichita and Topeka see frequent spring and early summer thunderstorms, some severe. Wind is one of the biggest limits for spraying paint or weed killer, so look for calmer mornings.

Summer heat often passes 95°F, so concrete and finishes do best with early starts. Fall is usually the most comfortable and dependable season for exterior projects, before freezes start in late October. Western Kansas is drier and sees bigger day-to-night temperature swings.

Frost dates in Kansas

In Wichita, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around April 11 and the median first fall freeze is around October 29, a frost-free season of about 199 days.

In Topeka, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around April 12 and the median first fall freeze is around October 23, a frost-free season of about 191 days.

How Kansas compares with other states

Wichita is tied for the shortest deck staining season of the 50 state main stations (2 good months). Wichita is tied for the 10th-most days at 90°F or hotter of the 50 state main stations (65 a year). Wichita has the 11th-least humid summer afternoons of the 47 state main stations (44% humidity at 3 PM, June–August).

Best time to stain a deck in Kansas

In Wichita, the most reliable months are May and September. April, June, August and October can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 46°F. In March and November, nights average about 35°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. July is hot, with average highs near 93°F and about 21 days a month at 90°F or more, so work early in the day. In April and October, nights average about 46°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June and August are hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

In Topeka, the most reliable months are May–June and September. April, July–August and October can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 43°F. In March and November, nights average about 34°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April and October, nights average about 45°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. July–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

Deck staining forecast →

Best time to paint outside in Kansas

In Wichita, the most reliable months are May and September–October. March–April, June, August and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 46°F. July is hot, with average highs near 93°F and about 21 days a month at 90°F or more, so work early in the day. In March–April, nights average about 40°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June and August are hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun. November is cool, with highs around 57°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.

In Topeka, the most reliable months are May–June and September–October. March–April, July–August and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 43°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 56°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In April, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. July–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

Exterior painting forecast →

Best time to pour concrete in Kansas

In Wichita, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 68°F, Oct 71°F). November–March averages about 20 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. April and October bring about 2 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.

In Topeka, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 67°F, Oct 69°F). November–March averages about 21 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. April and October bring about 4 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.

Concrete pouring forecast →

Best time to seal a driveway in Kansas

In Wichita, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 68°F, Oct 71°F). November–March is too cold, with average highs around 51°F. In April and October, nights average about 46°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.

In Topeka, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 67°F, Oct 69°F). November–March is too cold, with average highs around 48°F. April is cool, with highs around 67°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In October, nights average about 45°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.

Driveway sealing forecast →

Best time to fertilize or treat a lawn in Kansas

In Wichita, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. March, June, August and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 46°F. July is hot, with average highs near 93°F and about 21 days a month at 90°F or more, so work early in the day. March and November are cool, with highs around 58°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. June and August are hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

In Topeka, the most reliable months are April–June and September–October. March, July–August and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 43°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 56°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. July–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

Lawn fertilizer forecast →

How the weather differs across Kansas

Of the places above, Topeka has the most good months for staining, painting and concrete combined (12 job-months), and Wichita has the fewest (10).

Monthly weather in Wichita

*Days with 0.1 inch of rain or more; column notes.

Monthly weather in Topeka