Weather & Climate in Harrison, NE

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Harrison has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 302 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 17.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 56.6 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 4,872 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	44.6°F
	17% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,872 ft (1,485 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density	632/sq mi
Coordinates	42.6881°N, 103.8825°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Sioux County County
Nearest Airport	Western Nebraska Regional/William B Heilig Field (BFF) 58 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.6"

54% below US avg

Snowfall 56.6"

Wettest Month (May) 3.15"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	1.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	13.4 / 100
Community Resilience	9.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very 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

26 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	132 km	5 km
Aug 29, 2004	16 km NNW of Douglas, Wyoming	M3.8	133 km	5 km
Apr 9, 1996	34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.7	46 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	144 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	120 km	5 km
Feb 15, 2004	19 km N of Douglas, Wyoming	M3.5	127 km	10 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	134 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	70 km	5 km
Dec 13, 1993	14 km SW of Esterbrook, Wyoming	M3.2	138 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	131 km	5 km
May 3, 1996	32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.1	41 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	72 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	120 km	10 km
Nov 2, 1992	5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming	M3.0	42 km	5 km
Jan 6, 2018	7 km SW of Guernsey, Wyoming	M3.0	92 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	114 km	5 km
Jun 30, 1993	25 km N of Douglas, Wyoming	M3.0	126 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2011	22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming	M2.9	26 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	109 km	8 km
Sep 7, 2019	23 km WSW of Esterbrook, Wyoming	M2.9	148 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

293 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 113 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 27, 1955	EF4	85 km	26.0 mi	2
Jun 4, 1994	EF3	94 km	12.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 1978	EF3	58 km	53.2 mi	0
Jun 26, 1955	EF3	88 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	99 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 2, 2020	EF2	58 km	3.4 mi	0
Sep 10, 2019	EF2	67 km	19.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	53 km	25.6 mi	0
Jun 22, 2012	EF2	46 km	16.7 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	93 km	15.0 mi	1
May 21, 1998	EF2	85 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 26, 1993	EF2	89 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 13, 1984	EF2	73 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1983	EF2	87 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 20, 1983	EF2	55 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 19, 1983	EF2	76 km	22.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1982	EF2	52 km	7.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1982	EF2	76 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1982	EF2	74 km	0.8 mi	0
May 23, 1982	EF2	100 km	0.3 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WEST ASH (55,228 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	WEST ASH	55,228	58 km
1989	FT.ROBINSON	46,887	24 km
2006	SIOUX COUNTY COMPLEX	39,567	8 km
2012	DOUTHIT	29,036	27 km
2024	PLEASANT VALLEY	28,249	75 km
2006	DAWES COUNTY COMPLEX	27,923	67 km
2006	OLD CHICAGO	25,218	78 km
1985	FLINT HILLS	21,062	76 km
2016	SIMMONS	20,950	49 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	99 km
1996	UNNAMED	14,279	42 km
2016	INDIAN CANYON	13,791	62 km
2012	SAWMILL CANYON	13,438	85 km
2006	TWENTY MILE	11,732	96 km
2022	CASINO	11,583	94 km
2000	WARBONNET	11,504	25 km
2001	WEST HELL CANYON	11,097	78 km
2007	ALABAUGH	10,650	79 km
2011	THOMPSON	10,519	99 km
2012	WHITE DRAW	9,297	81 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in
March	34°F (1°C)	0.9 in
April	43°F (6°C)	2.1 in
May	53°F (12°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
June	63°F (17°C)	2.5 in
July	70°F (21°C)	2.0 in	Warmest
August	69°F (20°C)	1.3 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.4 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.1 in
November	33°F (0°C)	0.6 in
December	24°F (-4°C)	0.4 in

Harrison has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 23°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.4").

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