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Weather & Climate in Dorchester, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dorchester experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 23°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 29.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.9 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 1,486 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.7°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,486 ft (453 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,244/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.6480°N, 97.1154°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Saline County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lincoln (LNK) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 42.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 47.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 40.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
71 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 | 115 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 132 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 132 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 132 km | 16 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 134 km | 15 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.3 | 132 km | 13 km |
| Jan 9, 2013 | 5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas | M3.3 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.2 | 135 km | 15 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 6 km N of Jewell, Kansas | M3.2 | 134 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 2 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.1 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2020 | 3 km W of Burr Oak, Kansas | M3.0 | 136 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
734 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 261 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF4 | 90 km | 31.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2004 | EF4 | 41 km | 54.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 23 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 65 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1957 | EF4 | 39 km | 89.8 mi | 1 |
| Aug 13, 1952 | EF4 | 78 km | 26.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 48 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2015 | EF3 | 95 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 87 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 29 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 69 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2001 | EF3 | 79 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2001 | EF3 | 76 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1993 | EF3 | 39 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 20 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 26 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 79 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 61 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 82 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 59 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK CREEK (1,433 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | ROCK CREEK | 1,433 | 62 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,296 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 in | |
| November | 38°F (4°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in |
Dorchester has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 23°F in January to 75°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 28.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.6").