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Weather & Climate in Culbertson, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Culbertson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 77°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 22.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.5 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 2,579 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.5°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,579 ft (786 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 756/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.2242°N, 100.8396°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Red Willow County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 20.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
27 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 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 136 km | 11 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska | M3.1 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 43 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2025 | 3 km SSE of Hill City, Kansas | M2.9 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2003 | 7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska | M2.9 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2002 | 12 km SSW of Lebanon, Nebraska | M2.8 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2025 | 16 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M2.8 | 142 km | 9 km |
| Jul 5, 2025 | 17 km NNE of Collyer, Kansas | M2.7 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Jul 11, 2025 | 2 km E of Hill City, Kansas | M2.7 | 130 km | 9 km |
| Jul 10, 2025 | 11 km NW of Stockton, Kansas | M2.7 | 149 km | 8 km |
| Sep 10, 2010 | 8 km WNW of Norton, Kansas | M2.6 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Aug 30, 2022 | 12 km NNE of Damar, Kansas | M2.6 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M2.6 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2025 | 6 km SE of Hill City, Kansas | M2.6 | 134 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
491 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 46 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 15, 1990 | EF4 | 34 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 29, 1956 | EF4 | 62 km | 147.7 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF3 | 65 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2012 | EF3 | 88 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2007 | EF3 | 66 km | 15.7 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2000 | EF3 | 90 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 99 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1978 | EF3 | 83 km | 22.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 43 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 98 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 55 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 49 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF3 | 87 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1967 | EF3 | 94 km | 40.1 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1965 | EF3 | 80 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 29, 1956 | EF3 | 62 km | 65.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1954 | EF3 | 72 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1953 | EF3 | 71 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1951 | EF3 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1951 | EF3 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROAD 702 (45,166 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | ROAD 702 | 45,166 | 55 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 739 | 32,997 | 83 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 15,972 | 85 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 11,012 | 55 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 4,777 | 94 km |
| 2019 | CHERRY CREEK | 4,273 | 91 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,473 | 65 km |
| 2007 | WANO | 1,556 | 93 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,488 | 24 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,476 | 36 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,397 | 89 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,285 | 44 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 87 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 2.3 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in |
Culbertson has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 28°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.4").