Weather & Climate in Dalton, NE

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Dalton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°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 20.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 4,257 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	50.0°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	74°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,257 ft (1,298 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density	1,382/sq mi
Coordinates	41.4082°N, 102.9708°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Morrill County County
Nearest Airport	Western Nebraska Regional/William B Heilig Field (BFF) 46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.5"

46% below US avg

Snowfall 48.1"

Wettest Month (May) 3.31"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	27.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	56.3 / 100
Community Resilience	39.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.

Oct 18, 2012	28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.6	123 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	135 km	5 km
Sep 30, 1990	29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.0	130 km	5 km
Apr 24, 2007	23 km WSW of Hay Springs, Nebraska	M2.7	131 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

518 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 70 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 27, 1955	EF4	90 km	26.0 mi	2
Jul 5, 2000	EF3	84 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 1991	EF3	63 km	3.5 mi	0
May 27, 1985	EF3	68 km	48.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 1974	EF3	83 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 27, 1960	EF3	34 km	15.2 mi	0
Jun 27, 1960	EF3	80 km	6.5 mi	2
Jun 20, 1960	EF3	34 km	26.1 mi	0
May 19, 2024	EF2	64 km	1.6 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	71 km	2.5 mi	0
Sep 11, 2019	EF2	78 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 11, 2019	EF2	76 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	55 km	31.7 mi	0
Jun 27, 2005	EF2	59 km	17.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 2003	EF2	62 km	1.5 mi	0
Jul 13, 1996	EF2	50 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 1994	EF2	30 km	6.0 mi	0
Jul 26, 1993	EF2	82 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 13, 1988	EF2	60 km	1.5 mi	0
Jul 15, 1983	EF2	89 km	0.3 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOGAN (30,076 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	LOGAN	30,076	77 km
2022	CARTER CANYON	15,828	79 km
2012	TURNER TATANKA	15,749	73 km
1989	MORRILL CO	14,497	45 km
2012	KEITH COUNTY COMPLEX	13,526	92 km
2012	JEFFRIES	8,853	48 km
2024	SCHIFF	6,714	69 km
2000	DRYWELLS	6,492	71 km
2021	HACKBERRY CA	6,367	35 km
1999	UNNAMED	6,239	64 km
2019	RED KATE	6,115	69 km
2012	UNNAMED	4,792	96 km
1998	SUGARLOAF	4,075	48 km
1988	UNNAMED	4,047	95 km
2022	SMOKEY	3,961	53 km
2001	UNNAMED	3,586	96 km
2020	HUBBARDS GAP	3,435	48 km
2000	UNNAMED	3,192	95 km
1986	W BLUE CREEK	3,167	50 km
2021	BUFFALO CREEK	2,716	59 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	31°F (-1°C)	0.4 in
March	37°F (3°C)	1.2 in
April	46°F (8°C)	2.0 in
May	56°F (14°C)	3.3 in	Wettest
June	67°F (19°C)	3.1 in
July	74°F (24°C)	2.5 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	1.8 in
September	62°F (16°C)	1.4 in
October	49°F (10°C)	0.9 in
November	35°F (2°C)	0.7 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Dalton has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 28°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").

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