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Weather & Climate in Howells, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Howells experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°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 28.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.7 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 1,497 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.3°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,497 ft (456 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,038/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.7242°N, 97.0046°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Colfax County County |
| Nearest Airport | Norfolk Regional/Karl Stefan Memorial Field (OFK) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 28.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 15.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very 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.
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 17 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Feb 5, 2025 | 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska | M2.7 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 136 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
610 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 442 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF4 | 81 km | 31.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 28 km | 11.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 33 km | 12.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 28 km | 23.9 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 46 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF4 | 45 km | 18.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2003 | EF4 | 90 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 97 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 70 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1977 | EF4 | 54 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 99 km | 8.0 mi | 3 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 71 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1954 | EF4 | 60 km | 29.9 mi | 6 |
| Aug 13, 1952 | EF4 | 66 km | 26.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1950 | EF4 | 35 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF3 | 93 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 93 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 74 km | 14.2 mi | 4 |
| May 16, 1999 | EF3 | 92 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1999 | EF3 | 95 km | 7.5 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.9 in |
Howells has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 23°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.6").