Weather & Climate in Ainsworth, NE

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Ainsworth experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 291 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 23.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 35.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 2,523 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	50.2°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,523 ft (769 m)
Area	1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density	1,632/sq mi
Coordinates	42.5484°N, 99.8575°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Brown County County
Nearest Airport	Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.8"

37% below US avg

Snowfall 35.8"

Wettest Month (May) 3.46"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	2.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	17.8 / 100
Community Resilience	34.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

25 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 3, 2002	16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska	M4.3	82 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2021	10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.7	105 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.7	135 km	5 km
Aug 19, 2015	13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska	M3.6	92 km	15 km
Jan 4, 2016	11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska	M3.5	123 km	6 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	70 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	55 km	5 km
Apr 19, 2018	9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	136 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	25 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2018	10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	137 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	59 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2021	9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.1	105 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2018	8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	133 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	130 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	135 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	71 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	133 km	5 km
Jul 18, 1990	10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska	M3.0	138 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2006	6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska	M2.9	32 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2020	2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska	M2.8	101 km	10 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

264 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 24 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 8, 1965	EF5	52 km	30.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 2011	EF3	29 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 9, 2003	EF3	87 km	23.0 mi	0
May 8, 1965	EF3	80 km	44.8 mi	0
May 8, 1965	EF3	81 km	1.5 mi	0
May 21, 1962	EF3	100 km	11.0 mi	0
May 16, 1962	EF3	94 km	0.1 mi	0
May 15, 1962	EF3	82 km	0.1 mi	0
May 14, 1962	EF3	37 km	53.8 mi	0
Aug 19, 2017	EF2	83 km	0.7 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF2	71 km	4.6 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	92 km	2.9 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	44 km	9.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 24, 2009	EF2	45 km	4.6 mi	0
Mar 23, 2009	EF2	98 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 5, 2008	EF2	51 km	29.9 mi	0
Aug 9, 2002	EF2	83 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	85 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	74 km	19.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (77,236 acres, 1999).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1999	UNNAMED	77,236	93 km
2012	REGION 24 COMPLEX	66,349	34 km
2000	POWDER HORN	48,608	99 km
2022	BOVEE	18,875	76 km
2000	VAL COMP	15,513	66 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	94 km
1990	GOOSECREEK	8,408	50 km
2012	UNNAMED	7,980	85 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	98 km
2012	UNNAMED	6,910	34 km
2021	UNNAMED	6,693	92 km
2021	HACKBERRY SOUTH RX	6,463	66 km
2006	FOUR CORNERS	6,241	92 km
2000	PONY	5,982	51 km
2018	NEBRASKA RX	5,624	91 km
2022	LEACH CA	5,195	68 km
2019	UNNAMED	5,143	97 km
2000	UNNAMED	5,014	78 km
2023	LOWERY	4,881	85 km
1998	TNC	4,683	44 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.6 in
March	36°F (2°C)	1.4 in
April	47°F (9°C)	2.1 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.5 in	Wettest
June	69°F (20°C)	3.4 in
July	75°F (24°C)	3.3 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	2.5 in
September	63°F (17°C)	2.2 in
October	51°F (10°C)	1.2 in
November	35°F (2°C)	0.9 in
December	26°F (-4°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Ainsworth has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 26°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.4").

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