Weather & Climate in Bassett, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bassett experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 41.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 2,338 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.7°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,338 ft (713 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,414/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.5825°N, 99.5366°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Rock County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 0.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
26 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 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.7 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Aug 19, 2015 | 13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska | M3.6 | 107 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 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 1994 | 8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska | M3.3 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2015 | 15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska | M3.3 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2016 | 11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.2 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska | M3.0 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2025 | 4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.0 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2006 | 6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska | M2.9 | 6 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
277 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 27 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 8, 1965 | EF5 | 49 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1962 | EF4 | 90 km | 24.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2011 | EF3 | 55 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2003 | EF3 | 61 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF3 | 68 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF3 | 65 km | 44.8 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1962 | EF3 | 74 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1962 | EF3 | 72 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1962 | EF3 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1962 | EF3 | 46 km | 53.8 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2023 | EF2 | 89 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 2017 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2016 | EF2 | 88 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF2 | 93 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF2 | 94 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 92 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 51 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2009 | EF2 | 18 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2009 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: REGION 24 COMPLEX (66,349 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | REGION 24 COMPLEX | 66,349 | 52 km |
| 2022 | BOVEE | 18,875 | 95 km |
| 2000 | VAL COMP | 15,513 | 92 km |
| 1990 | GOOSECREEK | 8,408 | 76 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 6,910 | 21 km |
| 2021 | HACKBERRY SOUTH RX | 6,463 | 92 km |
| 2000 | PONY | 5,982 | 77 km |
| 2022 | LEACH CA | 5,195 | 84 km |
| 2023 | LOWERY | 4,881 | 71 km |
| 1998 | TNC | 4,683 | 63 km |
| 1989 | DUNNING | 4,114 | 98 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,883 | 87 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 3,688 | 79 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,145 | 38 km |
| 2011 | HALSEY DUMP | 3,114 | 94 km |
| 2023 | NENFR-HFR-FY23-RX-UNITS 35-36-39 | 2,936 | 78 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 2,875 | 26 km |
| 2023 | DEL PORTO | 2,856 | 81 km |
| 2024 | UNIT 16 RX | 2,171 | 79 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 2,130 | 36 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 35°F (1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.0 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 2.8 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.9 in |
Bassett has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.6").