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Weather & Climate in Arapahoe, NE

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

Arapahoe experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 308 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 24.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 2,179 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.1°F
5% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,179 ft (664 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density1,041/sq mi
Coordinates40.3051°N, 99.8980°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyFurnas County County
Nearest AirportMc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK)
37 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.8"
35% below US avg
Wettest Month (May) 3.74"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score51.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability69.5 / 100
Community Resilience52.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively High
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

97 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Jun 22, 2019 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas M4.6 128 km 3 km
Apr 10, 2018 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.7 118 km 5 km
Aug 9, 2021 Kansas M3.5 144 km 5 km
May 30, 1991 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas M3.5 130 km 5 km
May 31, 2019 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas M3.5 128 km 5 km
Jan 4, 2016 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska M3.5 135 km 6 km
Jun 1, 2025 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas M3.5 114 km 11 km
Jun 25, 2025 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas M3.4 107 km 13 km
Sep 18, 2023 Nebraska M3.4 134 km 10 km
Jul 29, 2021 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas M3.3 145 km 5 km
Sep 16, 2016 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas M3.3 146 km 5 km
Apr 9, 2018 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.3 117 km 5 km
Apr 19, 2018 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.3 117 km 5 km
Sep 14, 2016 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas M3.3 144 km 5 km
Nov 13, 2001 Kansas M3.3 43 km 5 km
May 24, 2023 12 km S of Alton, Kansas M3.2 133 km 7 km
Sep 19, 2016 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas M3.2 147 km 3 km
Jul 5, 2019 Kansas M3.1 121 km 4 km
Apr 10, 2018 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.1 124 km 5 km
Aug 31, 2016 9 km N of Ellis, Kansas M3.1 145 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

540 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 44 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 10, 1985 EF4 90 km 56.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 1956 EF4 100 km 2.0 mi 0
May 17, 2019 EF3 47 km 2.1 mi 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 48 km 8.4 mi 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 70 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 64 km 3.9 mi 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 91 km 11.9 mi 0
Apr 20, 2007 EF3 49 km 15.7 mi 0
May 17, 2000 EF3 82 km 11.5 mi 0
Jun 3, 1999 EF3 54 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 34 km 60.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 81 km 50.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 58 km 10.0 mi 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 80 km 32.0 mi 0
May 10, 1985 EF3 92 km 17.0 mi 0
Sep 11, 1978 EF3 34 km 22.5 mi 0
Jun 18, 1975 EF3 88 km 28.4 mi 1
Jun 18, 1975 EF3 76 km 9.4 mi 0
Jun 18, 1975 EF3 47 km 21.9 mi 0
Jun 18, 1975 EF3 41 km 15.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

14 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROAD 702 (45,166 acres, 2022).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2022 ROAD 702 45,166 30 km
2022 ROAD 739 32,997 11 km
2002 UNNAMED 15,972 73 km
2002 UNNAMED 11,012 97 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,488 93 km
2010 H-RX-F KIR NON NFP 1,435 95 km
1989 UNNAMED 1,397 100 km
2022 KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX 1,367 96 km
2020 PRAIRIE DOG 1,257 52 km
2016 KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS 1,123 91 km
2011 W-RX-F NON FUNDED TREATMENT_KSKIR 1,083 91 km
2023 NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON 1,061 29 km
2008 H RX F BOTTOMS 1,009 98 km
1989 UNNAMED 1,009 64 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 28°F (-2°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 31°F (-1°C) 0.6 in
March 40°F (4°C) 1.8 in
April 50°F (10°C) 2.0 in
May 61°F (16°C) 3.7 in Wettest
June 71°F (22°C) 3.6 in
July 76°F (24°C) 3.2 in Warmest
August 75°F (24°C) 2.7 in
September 66°F (19°C) 2.0 in
October 53°F (12°C) 1.3 in
November 37°F (3°C) 1.0 in
December 28°F (-2°C) 0.6 in

Arapahoe has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 28°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.5").

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