Weather & Climate in Bern, KS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bern experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.2 inches. The area receives 24.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 1,269 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.8°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,269 ft (387 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 471/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.9614°N, 95.9711°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Brown County County |
| Nearest Airport | Philip Billard Municipal (TOP) 64 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 15.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 20.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 82.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| 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.
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 106 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 49 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
604 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 296 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 29, 1979 | EF4 | 91 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF4 | 93 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1962 | EF4 | 52 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 95 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1960 | EF4 | 87 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | EF4 | 83 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | EF3 | 75 km | 2.2 mi | 1 |
| May 21, 2019 | EF3 | 5 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 6 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 35 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 83 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 80 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 78 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1978 | EF3 | 80 km | 37.0 mi | 3 |
| Jun 11, 1967 | EF3 | 92 km | 43.9 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1966 | EF3 | 89 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1965 | EF3 | 93 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 1965 | EF3 | 95 km | 23.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF3 | 93 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1964 | EF3 | 99 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: AXELTON-BURKLUND (8,831 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | AXELTON-BURKLUND | 8,831 | 79 km |
| 2022 | CARLSON | 6,101 | 78 km |
| 2005 | OAKS | 5,673 | 70 km |
| 2017 | WARREN ROAD | 5,037 | 95 km |
| 2014 | SHANNON CREEK | 3,954 | 72 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,244 | 63 km |
| 2004 | KRAUSE | 3,012 | 67 km |
| 2020 | BOURBONAIS CREEK | 2,803 | 84 km |
| 2021 | 345 | 2,430 | 98 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 2,186 | 95 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,819 | 61 km |
| 2016 | BLUE RAPIDS | 1,744 | 76 km |
| 2021 | 4 DELTA 21 | 1,708 | 67 km |
| 2011 | 182 | 1,575 | 63 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,575 | 98 km |
| 2023 | ROCK CREEK | 1,433 | 94 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 1,408 | 96 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,296 | 95 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 1,107 | 75 km |
| 2023 | SHANNON CREEK | 1,089 | 78 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.0 in |
Bern has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 25°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and January the driest (0.7").