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Weather & Climate in Cambridge, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cambridge experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 308 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 23.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 24.0 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 2,272 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.1°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,272 ft (693 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 779/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.2843°N, 100.1658°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Red Willow County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 20.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
59 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jun 22, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M4.6 | 135 km | 3 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.7 | 118 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 137 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 115 km | 11 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 120 km | 13 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 32 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2016 | 10 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 148 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2023 | 12 km S of Alton, Kansas | M3.2 | 146 km | 7 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | Kansas | M3.1 | 129 km | 4 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska | M3.1 | 91 km | 10 km |
| Aug 31, 2016 | 9 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas | M3.1 | 150 km | 9 km |
| May 11, 2019 | 5 km NNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 61 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
511 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 44 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 15, 1990 | EF4 | 92 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF3 | 38 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 88 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 59 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 92 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 69 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2007 | EF3 | 41 km | 15.7 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2000 | EF3 | 76 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 59 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 53 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 76 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1978 | EF3 | 38 km | 22.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 20 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 33 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 74 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 87 km | 28.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 20, 1974 | EF3 | 97 km | 63.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF3 | 94 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1965 | EF3 | 95 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 29, 1956 | EF3 | 19 km | 65.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROAD 702 (45,166 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | ROAD 702 | 45,166 | 14 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 739 | 32,997 | 27 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 15,972 | 67 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 11,012 | 79 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,473 | 90 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,149 | 100 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,488 | 71 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,476 | 90 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,397 | 90 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,285 | 94 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 52 km |
| 2023 | NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON | 1,061 | 49 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,009 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 2.7 in | |
| September | 65°F (19°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in |
Cambridge has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 27°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.4").