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Weather & Climate in Benkelman, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benkelman experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 78°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 19.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 27.6 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 3,043 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 52.3°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 316 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,043 ft (928 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 788/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.0468°N, 101.5402°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Dundy County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK) 51 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 2.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 5.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2003 | 7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska | M2.9 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2002 | 12 km SSW of Lebanon, Nebraska | M2.8 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2010 | 8 km WNW of Norton, Kansas | M2.6 | 135 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
542 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 36 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 15, 1990 | EF4 | 29 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 29, 1956 | EF4 | 78 km | 147.7 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1991 | EF3 | 82 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 31 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1967 | EF3 | 38 km | 40.1 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1965 | EF3 | 95 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1960 | EF3 | 74 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1953 | EF3 | 19 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1951 | EF3 | 33 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1951 | EF3 | 35 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2023 | EF2 | 88 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2021 | EF2 | 13 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF2 | 69 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2016 | EF2 | 60 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2007 | EF2 | 82 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2007 | EF2 | 63 km | 34.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1996 | EF2 | 98 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1995 | EF2 | 92 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1995 | EF2 | 81 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1994 | EF2 | 48 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (11,012 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 11,012 | 91 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 4,777 | 33 km |
| 2019 | CHERRY CREEK | 4,273 | 34 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,473 | 96 km |
| 2011 | ZWEYGARDT | 2,118 | 59 km |
| 2022 | COUNTY ROAD R | 2,080 | 86 km |
| 2018 | COUNTY ROAD 56 | 1,866 | 72 km |
| 2007 | WANO | 1,556 | 36 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,488 | 53 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,476 | 44 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,285 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
Benkelman has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 29°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.4").