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Weather & Climate in Cozad, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cozad experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 75°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 23.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 20.0 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 2,510 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,510 ft (765 m) |
| Area | 2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,505/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.8613°N, 99.9864°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Dawson County County |
| Nearest Airport | North Platte Regional/Lee Bird Field (LBF) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 65.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 9.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Apr 10, 2018 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.7 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Aug 19, 2015 | 13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska | M3.6 | 105 km | 15 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 81 km | 6 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska | M3.1 | 27 km | 10 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska | M3.0 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2003 | 7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska | M2.9 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2002 | 12 km SSW of Lebanon, Nebraska | M2.8 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jan 15, 2020 | 7 km SE of Glade, Kansas | M2.7 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M2.6 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2010 | 8 km WNW of Norton, Kansas | M2.6 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jun 17, 2025 | 15 km SSW of Riverton, Nebraska | M2.6 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 4 km NW of Arnold, Nebraska | M2.5 | 69 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
534 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 81 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF4 | 58 km | 15.2 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1961 | EF4 | 85 km | 48.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1956 | EF4 | 76 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1953 | EF4 | 89 km | 15.0 mi | 11 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF3 | 37 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2012 | EF3 | 81 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2012 | EF3 | 76 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 53 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2007 | EF3 | 35 km | 15.7 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2000 | EF3 | 34 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 69 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 48 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 45 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1990 | EF3 | 47 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 91 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1989 | EF3 | 75 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 84 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1978 | EF3 | 29 km | 22.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 46 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 64 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BETTY'S WAY (68,425 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | BETTY'S WAY | 68,425 | 53 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 702 | 45,166 | 80 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 739 | 32,997 | 52 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 15,972 | 28 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 11,012 | 80 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 7,793 | 64 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,681 | 54 km |
| 2011 | HARVEST CA | 6,526 | 78 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,473 | 84 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,149 | 51 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 2,706 | 62 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 2,298 | 89 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,397 | 57 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 1,200 | 91 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,185 | 88 km |
| 2023 | NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON | 1,061 | 50 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
Cozad has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 26°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.4").