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Weather & Climate in Harrisburg, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Harrisburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 316 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 16.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 46.6 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 4,629 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-3°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 47.4°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 316 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,629 ft (1,411 m) |
| Area | 6.5 sq mi (16.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 12/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.5505°N, 103.7267°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Banner County County |
| Nearest Airport | Western Nebraska Regional/William B Heilig Field (BFF) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 0.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 28.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
11 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.
| Jun 1, 2014 | 9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado | M3.2 | 141 km | 1 km |
| Jun 18, 1998 | 23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska | M3.1 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2018 | 7 km SW of Guernsey, Wyoming | M3.0 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Nov 2, 1992 | 5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming | M3.0 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2019 | 7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado | M2.9 | 143 km | 6 km |
| Mar 10, 2011 | 22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming | M2.9 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2007 | 23 km WSW of Hay Springs, Nebraska | M2.7 | 132 km | 5 km |
| May 28, 2025 | 9 km ENE of Glendo, Wyoming | M2.6 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2016 | 2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado | M2.6 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Feb 27, 2021 | 13 km WNW of Crawford, Nebraska | M2.6 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jun 23, 2014 | 6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado | M2.5 | 141 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
507 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 55 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 27, 1955 | EF4 | 43 km | 26.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 9, 1991 | EF3 | 33 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1985 | EF3 | 23 km | 48.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1978 | EF3 | 73 km | 53.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1960 | EF3 | 93 km | 15.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1960 | EF3 | 35 km | 26.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1955 | EF3 | 68 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2024 | EF2 | 100 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2023 | EF2 | 51 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2023 | EF2 | 31 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2017 | EF2 | 44 km | 31.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2017 | EF2 | 89 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2017 | EF2 | 90 km | 25.6 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2010 | EF2 | 68 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2009 | EF2 | 55 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2005 | EF2 | 18 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1998 | EF2 | 47 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1996 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1994 | EF2 | 62 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1993 | EF2 | 39 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SIMMONS (20,950 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | SIMMONS | 20,950 | 89 km |
| 2022 | CARTER CANYON | 15,828 | 23 km |
| 1989 | MORRILL CO | 14,497 | 85 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 14,279 | 85 km |
| 2000 | CO LINE | 10,961 | 68 km |
| 2024 | SCHIFF | 6,714 | 65 km |
| 2021 | HACKBERRY CA | 6,367 | 31 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 6,239 | 84 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,047 | 62 km |
| 2022 | SMOKEY | 3,961 | 23 km |
| 2021 | 313 | 3,859 | 66 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 3,586 | 63 km |
| 2020 | HUBBARDS GAP | 3,435 | 25 km |
| 2004 | ROSETTA LANE | 3,164 | 99 km |
| 2005 | LITTLEBEAR | 3,125 | 93 km |
| 2021 | BUFFALO CREEK | 2,716 | 20 km |
| 2021 | VISTA TREND CA | 2,669 | 32 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,486 | 53 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 2,261 | 85 km |
| 2021 | CROSS CA | 2,247 | 19 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 2.5 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in |
Harrisburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 28°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.4").