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Weather & Climate in Imperial, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Imperial experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 75°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 19.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.0 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 3,278 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.1°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 316 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,278 ft (999 m) |
| Area | 3.0 sq mi (7.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 720/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.5144°N, 101.6372°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Chase County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK) 59 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 6.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 8.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very 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: M3.3.
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Sep 30, 1990 | 29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska | M3.0 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2003 | 7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska | M2.9 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2002 | 12 km SSW of Lebanon, Nebraska | M2.8 | 129 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
542 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 53 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 15, 1990 | EF4 | 53 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 29, 1956 | EF4 | 41 km | 147.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2012 | EF3 | 95 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2012 | EF3 | 85 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2000 | EF3 | 92 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1991 | EF3 | 31 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1972 | EF3 | 93 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 77 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1967 | EF3 | 46 km | 40.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1960 | EF3 | 75 km | 6.5 mi | 2 |
| Jun 5, 1953 | EF3 | 37 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1951 | EF3 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1951 | EF3 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2024 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2021 | EF2 | 40 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF2 | 82 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2016 | EF2 | 67 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2012 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2007 | EF2 | 30 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1995 | EF2 | 41 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOGAN (30,076 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | LOGAN | 30,076 | 95 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 17,990 | 93 km |
| 2012 | KEITH COUNTY COMPLEX | 13,526 | 94 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 11,012 | 65 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 4,777 | 54 km |
| 2019 | CHERRY CREEK | 4,273 | 82 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,473 | 64 km |
| 2022 | COUNTY ROAD R | 2,080 | 92 km |
| 2018 | COUNTY ROAD 56 | 1,866 | 55 km |
| 2007 | WANO | 1,556 | 83 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,544 | 81 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,488 | 83 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,476 | 39 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,318 | 83 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,285 | 34 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 1,262 | 82 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.2 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
Imperial has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 27°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and December the driest (0.4").