Weather & Climate in Elba, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elba experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 22.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 1,863 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.7°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,863 ft (568 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 489/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.2853°N, 98.5693°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Howard County County |
| Nearest Airport | Central Nebraska Regional (GRI) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 24.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 44.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
28 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 | 148 km | 3 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.7 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 78 km | 6 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 25 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska | M3.1 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Apr 16, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska | M3.0 | 41 km | 5 km |
| Mar 17, 2023 | 8 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.9 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Jul 1, 2023 | 11 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.9 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2023 | 11 km N of Guide Rock, Nebraska | M2.9 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 2020 | 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska | M2.8 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 2025 | 7 km ENE of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.8 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | 9 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.8 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Feb 5, 2025 | 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska | M2.7 | 100 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
690 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 32 fatalities, 443 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1964 | EF5 | 84 km | 79.7 mi | 4 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 47 km | 1.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 53 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 97 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 10 km | 78.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 46 km | 125.7 mi | 4 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF4 | 20 km | 51.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1956 | EF4 | 57 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1954 | EF4 | 86 km | 29.9 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 1953 | EF4 | 47 km | 15.0 mi | 11 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 10 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 96 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 75 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 87 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2001 | EF3 | 63 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 61 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 99 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 76 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 46 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 92 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOWERY (4,881 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | LOWERY | 4,881 | 94 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 3,688 | 93 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 2,911 | 83 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,456 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 29°F (-1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in |
Elba has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 25°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.6").