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Weather & Climate in Cedar Rapids, NE

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

Cedar Rapids experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°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 27.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.6 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 1,777 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.3°F
11% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,777 ft (542 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density1,344/sq mi
Coordinates41.5589°N, 98.1493°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBoone County County
Nearest AirportCentral Nebraska Regional (GRI)
42 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.2"
28% below US avg
Snowfall 26.6"
Wettest Month (May) 3.98"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score43.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability50.1 / 100
Community Resilience87.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively High
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

10 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 3, 2002 16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska M4.3 148 km 5 km
Feb 6, 1996 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska M3.6 117 km 5 km
Jan 4, 2016 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska M3.5 110 km 6 km
Aug 9, 1997 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska M3.4 84 km 5 km
Jun 20, 2002 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska M3.3 40 km 5 km
Sep 26, 2010 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska M3.1 147 km 10 km
Jul 18, 1990 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska M3.0 67 km 5 km
Jan 1, 2020 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska M2.8 86 km 10 km
Feb 5, 2025 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska M2.7 55 km 5 km
Mar 6, 2024 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska M2.5 140 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

672 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 29 fatalities, 414 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 78 km 12.1 mi 0
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 95 km 23.9 mi 1
Jun 3, 1980 EF4 72 km 1.1 mi 3
Apr 7, 1978 EF4 74 km 8.0 mi 0
Apr 7, 1978 EF4 77 km 31.2 mi 0
May 6, 1975 EF4 86 km 4.1 mi 0
May 8, 1965 EF4 85 km 125.7 mi 4
May 8, 1965 EF4 57 km 78.9 mi 0
May 5, 1964 EF4 26 km 51.2 mi 0
May 30, 1954 EF4 40 km 29.9 mi 6
Jun 7, 1953 EF4 86 km 15.0 mi 11
Apr 26, 2024 EF3 56 km 9.3 mi 0
Oct 4, 2013 EF3 100 km 6.4 mi 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 65 km 9.5 mi 0
Oct 9, 2001 EF3 59 km 18.0 mi 0
Jun 3, 1999 EF3 85 km 14.0 mi 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 80 km 27.0 mi 0
Jun 11, 1984 EF3 72 km 14.0 mi 0
Apr 25, 1984 EF3 51 km 8.0 mi 0
Jun 3, 1980 EF3 68 km 2.3 mi 1
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOWERY (4,881 acres, 2023).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2023 LOWERY 4,881 95 km
1995 UNNAMED 2,911 57 km
2000 UNNAMED 2,456 56 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 22°F (-6°C) 0.4 in Coldest, Driest
February 27°F (-3°C) 0.7 in
March 37°F (3°C) 2.2 in
April 49°F (10°C) 2.7 in
May 60°F (16°C) 4.0 in Wettest
June 70°F (21°C) 3.9 in
July 74°F (23°C) 3.4 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 3.0 in
September 63°F (17°C) 2.6 in
October 51°F (11°C) 1.7 in
November 35°F (2°C) 1.4 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 0.6 in

Cedar Rapids has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 22°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.4").

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