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Weather & Climate in Columbus, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbus experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 23°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 28.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.6 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 1,446 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,446 ft (441 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,275/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.4371°N, 97.3574°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Platte County County |
| Nearest Airport | Norfolk Regional/Karl Stefan Memorial Field (OFK) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 70.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 25.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 55.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| 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.
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska | M3.0 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2020 | 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska | M2.8 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Feb 5, 2025 | 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska | M2.7 | 71 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
688 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 444 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF4 | 90 km | 31.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 60 km | 23.9 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 65 km | 11.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 51 km | 12.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 87 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF4 | 80 km | 18.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 69 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 98 km | 1.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 29 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 99 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1977 | EF4 | 96 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 87 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF4 | 85 km | 51.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1957 | EF4 | 97 km | 89.8 mi | 1 |
| May 30, 1954 | EF4 | 45 km | 29.9 mi | 6 |
| Aug 13, 1952 | EF4 | 69 km | 26.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1950 | EF4 | 75 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 90 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 83 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 50 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in |
Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 23°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.5").