Weather & Climate in Bushnell, NE

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

Bushnell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 71°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 15.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 29.8 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 4,869 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	46.7°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,869 ft (1,484 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	770/sq mi
Coordinates	41.2327°N, 103.8911°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Kimball County County
Nearest Airport	Western Nebraska Regional/William B Heilig Field (BFF) 47 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.8"

58% below US avg

Snowfall 29.8"

Wettest Month (May) 2.68"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	7.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	48.9 / 100
Community Resilience	12.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
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: M3.2.

Jun 1, 2014	9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado	M3.2	104 km	1 km
Jan 6, 2018	7 km SW of Guernsey, Wyoming	M3.0	134 km	5 km
Mar 30, 2019	7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado	M2.9	106 km	6 km
Aug 23, 2016	2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado	M2.6	106 km	10 km
Jun 23, 2014	6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado	M2.5	104 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

625 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 95 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 27, 1955	EF4	78 km	26.0 mi	2
Jun 9, 1991	EF3	70 km	3.5 mi	0
May 27, 1985	EF3	61 km	48.0 mi	0
Jul 16, 1979	EF3	78 km	8.8 mi	1
Aug 15, 1974	EF3	86 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 27, 1960	EF3	96 km	15.2 mi	0
Jun 20, 1960	EF3	46 km	26.1 mi	0
Jun 26, 1955	EF3	89 km	2.0 mi	0
May 19, 2024	EF2	86 km	1.6 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	69 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	68 km	4.7 mi	0
Sep 11, 2019	EF2	98 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 11, 2019	EF2	93 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	80 km	31.7 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	53 km	15.0 mi	0
May 18, 2010	EF2	41 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 2009	EF2	60 km	8.3 mi	0
Jun 27, 2005	EF2	55 km	17.0 mi	0
May 21, 1998	EF2	78 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 30, 1996	EF2	98 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CARTER CANYON (15,828 acres, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2022	CARTER CANYON	15,828	59 km
2000	CO LINE	10,961	72 km
2024	HAPPY JACK	6,585	93 km
2021	HACKBERRY CA	6,367	55 km
2002	UNNAMED	5,258	67 km
1988	UNNAMED	4,047	100 km
2022	SMOKEY	3,961	58 km
2021	313	3,859	74 km
2001	UNNAMED	3,586	100 km
2020	HUBBARDS GAP	3,435	59 km
2004	ROSETTA LANE	3,164	70 km
2005	LITTLEBEAR	3,125	86 km
2021	BUFFALO CREEK	2,716	57 km
2021	VISTA TREND CA	2,669	65 km
2004	UNNAMED	2,486	90 km
2002	UNNAMED	2,261	51 km
2021	CROSS CA	2,247	52 km
2024	139 FIRE	2,146	63 km
2002	UNNAMED	2,134	39 km
2000	SNAKE CRK	1,912	94 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	31°F (-1°C)	0.3 in	Driest
March	37°F (3°C)	1.0 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.4 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
June	65°F (18°C)	2.4 in
July	71°F (22°C)	2.3 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.5 in
September	60°F (16°C)	1.3 in
October	48°F (9°C)	0.8 in
November	35°F (2°C)	0.5 in
December	28°F (-3°C)	0.4 in

Bushnell has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 27°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and February the driest (0.3").

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