All Countries
Weather & Climate in Cheney, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cheney experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°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 32.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 1,442 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 51.2°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,442 ft (440 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,243/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.7260°N, 96.5936°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lancaster County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lincoln (LNK) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 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 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 91 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
666 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 520 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF4 | 57 km | 31.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2004 | EF4 | 77 km | 54.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 43 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 86 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 66 km | 8.0 mi | 3 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF4 | 96 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1957 | EF4 | 84 km | 89.8 mi | 1 |
| Aug 13, 1952 | EF4 | 55 km | 26.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 15 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 83 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 88 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 96 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 73 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1993 | EF3 | 62 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 30 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 68 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 91 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 22 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1988 | EF3 | 86 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1979 | EF3 | 73 km | 38.3 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK CREEK (1,433 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | ROCK CREEK | 1,433 | 81 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,296 | 98 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 629 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in |
Cheney has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 24°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.7").