Weather & Climate in Brainard, NE

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

Brainard experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 275 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 30.4 inches. The area receives 31.8 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 1,673 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	49.3°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,673 ft (510 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density	900/sq mi
Coordinates	41.1817°N, 97.0023°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Butler County County
Nearest Airport	Lincoln (LNK) 22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 30.4"

20% below US avg

Snowfall 31.8"

Wettest Month (May) 4.49"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	24.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	15.3 / 100
Community Resilience	72.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively 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	129 km	5 km
Jul 16, 2004	6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa	M3.5	137 km	5 km
Aug 9, 1997	9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska	M3.4	70 km	5 km
Jun 20, 2002	8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska	M3.3	140 km	5 km
Jan 6, 2014	5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska	M2.9	125 km	5 km
Mar 31, 1993	2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska	M2.9	149 km	5 km
Feb 5, 2025	8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska	M2.7	111 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

707 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 487 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 26, 2024	EF4	56 km	31.9 mi	0
Jun 16, 2014	EF4	87 km	23.9 mi	1
Jun 16, 2014	EF4	88 km	11.5 mi	1
Jun 16, 2014	EF4	84 km	12.1 mi	0
May 22, 2004	EF4	100 km	54.0 mi	1
Jun 13, 2001	EF4	38 km	8.0 mi	0
Apr 7, 1978	EF4	35 km	8.0 mi	0
May 6, 1975	EF4	78 km	8.0 mi	3
Apr 25, 1957	EF4	82 km	89.8 mi	1
May 30, 1954	EF4	86 km	29.9 mi	6
Aug 13, 1952	EF4	36 km	26.7 mi	0
Jul 15, 1950	EF4	77 km	10.0 mi	0
Apr 26, 2024	EF3	93 km	19.1 mi	0
Apr 26, 2024	EF3	49 km	5.3 mi	0
May 11, 2014	EF3	66 km	19.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	61 km	9.5 mi	0
Oct 9, 2001	EF3	74 km	18.0 mi	0
Jul 24, 1993	EF3	98 km	9.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1992	EF3	83 km	21.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1992	EF3	46 km	14.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (629 acres, 2010).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2010	UNNAMED	629	99 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	27°F (-3°C)	0.7 in
March	38°F (3°C)	2.2 in
April	50°F (10°C)	2.9 in
May	61°F (16°C)	4.5 in	Wettest
June	71°F (22°C)	4.3 in
July	75°F (24°C)	3.1 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	3.5 in
September	65°F (18°C)	3.2 in
October	53°F (11°C)	2.1 in
November	37°F (3°C)	1.5 in
December	26°F (-4°C)	0.9 in

Brainard has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 21°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.6").

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