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Weather & Climate in Cortland, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cortland 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 31.0 inches. The area receives 25.3 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
24°F Jan (-4°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 51.1°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,446 ft (441 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,330/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.5060°N, 96.7060°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Gage County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lincoln (LNK) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 40.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 18.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
48 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 | 136 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 150 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 149 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 148 km | 16 km |
| Jan 9, 2013 | 5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas | M3.3 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.3 | 147 km | 13 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 6 km N of Jewell, Kansas | M3.2 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 148 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 2 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.1 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jun 3, 2017 | 4 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.0 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.0 | 150 km | 14 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km SSW of Formoso, Kansas | M3.0 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2017 | 7 km N of Jewell, Kansas | M2.9 | 150 km | 14 km |
| Aug 22, 2023 | 11 km N of Guide Rock, Nebraska | M2.9 | 141 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
689 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 439 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF4 | 83 km | 31.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2004 | EF4 | 57 km | 54.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 50 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 96 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 91 km | 8.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 25, 1957 | EF4 | 74 km | 89.8 mi | 1 |
| Aug 13, 1952 | EF4 | 80 km | 26.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 40 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2019 | EF3 | 92 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 82 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 66 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1993 | EF3 | 38 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 53 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 36 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 65 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 28 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 95 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 84 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1984 | EF3 | 96 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1979 | EF3 | 91 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: UNNAMED (1,819 acres, 1996).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,819 | 92 km |
| 2023 | ROCK CREEK | 1,433 | 55 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,296 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 in |
Cortland has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 24°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.6").