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Weather & Climate in Emerson, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Emerson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 275 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 37.2 inches. The area receives 27.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,067 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.8°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,067 ft (325 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,104/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.0180°N, 95.4027°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Mills County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eppley Airfield (OMA) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 18.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 80.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 45 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 80 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
647 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 21 fatalities, 482 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 27, 1953 | EF5 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| May 21, 2024 | EF4 | 42 km | 40.7 mi | 5 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF4 | 80 km | 31.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF4 | 91 km | 56.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF4 | 46 km | 49.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1995 | EF4 | 83 km | 57.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1989 | EF4 | 58 km | 49.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1979 | EF4 | 64 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1976 | EF4 | 51 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 58 km | 8.0 mi | 3 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF4 | 36 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 41 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 1959 | EF4 | 84 km | 41.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | EF4 | 52 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2024 | EF3 | 25 km | 33.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 38 km | 40.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 33 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 50 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1999 | EF3 | 80 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1999 | EF3 | 76 km | 7.5 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,195 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,195 | 30 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 629 | 58 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 1.1 in |
Emerson has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 23°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (0.8").