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Weather & Climate in Clay Center, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clay Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 26°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 29.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 18.5 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 1,781 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.6°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,781 ft (543 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,027/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.5255°N, 98.0550°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Clay County County |
| Nearest Airport | Central Nebraska Regional (GRI) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 56.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 28.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 42.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
89 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jul 17, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.8 | 60 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 88 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 149 km | 13 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 45 km | 10 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 86 km | 15 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 86 km | 16 km |
| Jan 9, 2013 | 5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas | M3.3 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.3 | 86 km | 13 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 6 km N of Jewell, Kansas | M3.2 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.2 | 87 km | 15 km |
| Mar 13, 2025 | 0 km SE of Glen Elder, Kansas | M3.2 | 117 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 2 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.1 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska | M3.0 | 133 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
849 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 22 fatalities, 527 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1964 | EF5 | 27 km | 79.7 mi | 4 |
| May 22, 2004 | EF4 | 66 km | 54.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 90 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF4 | 67 km | 131.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 49 km | 1.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 42 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 90 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 94 km | 78.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 60 km | 125.7 mi | 4 |
| Apr 25, 1957 | EF4 | 41 km | 89.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 89 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2015 | EF3 | 86 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 7 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 54 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2013 | EF3 | 85 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 68 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2008 | EF3 | 90 km | 55.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2001 | EF3 | 63 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2001 | EF3 | 13 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1993 | EF3 | 87 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH BRANCH (10,926 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | NORTH BRANCH | 10,926 | 67 km |
| 2023 | ROCK CREEK | 1,433 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.0 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in |
Clay Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 26°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.5").