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Weather & Climate in Grand Island, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Grand Island experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 26°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 26.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 27.7 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 1,870 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.8°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,870 ft (570 m) |
| Area | 30.3 sq mi (78.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,752/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.9214°N, 98.3586°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Hall County County |
| Nearest Airport | Central Nebraska Regional (GRI) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 20.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
76 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 | 105 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 133 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 112 km | 6 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 130 km | 15 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 83 km | 10 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 131 km | 16 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 138 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 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.2 | 131 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 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska | M3.1 | 119 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
770 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 27 fatalities, 423 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1964 | EF5 | 41 km | 79.7 mi | 4 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF4 | 98 km | 131.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 5 km | 1.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 84 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 9 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 21 km | 125.7 mi | 4 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 43 km | 78.9 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF4 | 53 km | 51.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1957 | EF4 | 77 km | 89.8 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 1956 | EF4 | 63 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1953 | EF4 | 79 km | 15.0 mi | 11 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 38 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 80 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 52 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 57 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 86 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2001 | EF3 | 44 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2001 | EF3 | 64 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 97 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 70 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 2.9 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 2.8 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.7 in |
Grand Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 26°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.5").