Weather & Climate in Bayard, NE

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

Bayard experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 316 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 18.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.7 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 3,765 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	50.6°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-2°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,765 ft (1,148 m)
Area	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density	2,156/sq mi
Coordinates	41.7572°N, 103.3230°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Scotts Bluff County County
Nearest Airport	Western Nebraska Regional/William B Heilig Field (BFF) 16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.6"

51% below US avg

Snowfall 38.7"

Wettest Month (May) 2.87"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	63.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	31.5 / 100
Community Resilience	38.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

7 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.

Oct 18, 2012	28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.6	124 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	100 km	5 km
Jan 6, 2018	7 km SW of Guernsey, Wyoming	M3.0	133 km	5 km
Nov 2, 1992	5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming	M3.0	140 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2011	22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming	M2.9	138 km	5 km
Apr 24, 2007	23 km WSW of Hay Springs, Nebraska	M2.7	97 km	5 km
Feb 27, 2021	13 km WNW of Crawford, Nebraska	M2.6	108 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

447 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 55 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 27, 1955	EF4	44 km	26.0 mi	2
May 5, 1993	EF3	96 km	13.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 1991	EF3	17 km	3.5 mi	0
May 27, 1985	EF3	27 km	48.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 1978	EF3	72 km	53.2 mi	0
Jun 27, 1960	EF3	83 km	15.2 mi	0
Jun 20, 1960	EF3	42 km	26.1 mi	0
Jun 26, 1955	EF3	86 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	26 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	78 km	4.7 mi	0
Jul 2, 2020	EF2	77 km	3.4 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	7 km	31.7 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	92 km	25.6 mi	0
Jun 5, 2009	EF2	89 km	8.3 mi	0
Jun 27, 2005	EF2	23 km	17.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 2003	EF2	99 km	1.5 mi	0
May 21, 1998	EF2	57 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 1996	EF2	90 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 1994	EF2	28 km	6.0 mi	0
Jul 26, 1993	EF2	35 km	3.8 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SIMMONS (20,950 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	SIMMONS	20,950	90 km
2022	CARTER CANYON	15,828	39 km
2012	TURNER TATANKA	15,749	98 km
1989	MORRILL CO	14,497	48 km
1996	UNNAMED	14,279	76 km
2000	CO LINE	10,961	100 km
2012	JEFFRIES	8,853	70 km
2024	SCHIFF	6,714	29 km
2021	HACKBERRY CA	6,367	26 km
1999	UNNAMED	6,239	43 km
2019	RED KATE	6,115	90 km
2021	POST CA	5,546	93 km
2012	UNNAMED	5,308	81 km
2012	UNNAMED	4,792	75 km
1998	SUGARLOAF	4,075	74 km
1988	UNNAMED	4,047	46 km
2022	SMOKEY	3,961	18 km
2021	313	3,859	97 km
2001	UNNAMED	3,586	48 km
2020	HUBBARDS GAP	3,435	16 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-2°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	31°F (-1°C)	0.4 in
March	38°F (3°C)	1.0 in
April	47°F (8°C)	1.7 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.9 in	Wettest
June	68°F (20°C)	2.7 in
July	76°F (24°C)	2.3 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	1.5 in
September	62°F (17°C)	1.3 in
October	50°F (10°C)	0.9 in
November	36°F (2°C)	0.6 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Bayard has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 27°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.9") and January the driest (0.4").

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