Weather & Climate in Johnstown, NE

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

Johnstown experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 291 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 23.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 35.8 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 2,600 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	50.2°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,600 ft (792 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density	51/sq mi
Coordinates	42.5721°N, 100.0563°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Brown County County
Nearest Airport	Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.8"

37% below US avg

Snowfall 35.8"

Wettest Month (May) 3.46"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	2.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	17.8 / 100
Community Resilience	34.0 / 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	Relatively 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

28 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 3, 2002	16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska	M4.3	97 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.7	136 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2021	10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.7	118 km	5 km
Aug 19, 2015	13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska	M3.6	90 km	15 km
Jan 4, 2016	11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska	M3.5	131 km	6 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	60 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	39 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2018	10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	138 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	9 km	5 km
Apr 19, 2018	9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	137 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	47 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	131 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	139 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2021	9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.1	118 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	118 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2018	8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	134 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	140 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	59 km	5 km
Jul 18, 1990	10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska	M3.0	149 km	5 km
Sep 30, 1990	29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.0	146 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

240 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 28 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 8, 1965	EF5	55 km	30.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 2011	EF3	13 km	0.5 mi	0
May 8, 1965	EF3	89 km	1.5 mi	0
May 8, 1965	EF3	95 km	44.8 mi	0
Jun 15, 1962	EF3	96 km	0.1 mi	0
May 15, 1962	EF3	88 km	0.1 mi	0
May 14, 1962	EF3	36 km	53.8 mi	0
Aug 19, 2017	EF2	91 km	0.7 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF2	59 km	4.6 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	91 km	2.9 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	43 km	9.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 24, 2009	EF2	60 km	4.6 mi	0
Jun 5, 2008	EF2	64 km	29.9 mi	0
Aug 9, 2002	EF2	93 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	66 km	19.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	76 km	4.0 mi	0
Oct 28, 1998	EF2	89 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1993	EF2	90 km	5.0 mi	0
May 15, 1992	EF2	94 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (77,236 acres, 1999).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1999	UNNAMED	77,236	82 km
2012	REGION 24 COMPLEX	66,349	26 km
2000	POWDER HORN	48,608	83 km
2022	BOVEE	18,875	71 km
2000	VAL COMP	15,513	50 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	79 km
1990	GOOSECREEK	8,408	35 km
2012	UNNAMED	7,980	73 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	82 km
2012	UNNAMED	6,910	45 km
2021	UNNAMED	6,693	87 km
2021	HACKBERRY SOUTH RX	6,463	50 km
2006	FOUR CORNERS	6,241	87 km
2000	PONY	5,982	36 km
2018	NEBRASKA RX	5,624	87 km
2022	LEACH CA	5,195	66 km
2019	UNNAMED	5,143	92 km
2000	UNNAMED	5,014	62 km
2023	LOWERY	4,881	99 km
1998	TNC	4,683	33 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.6 in
March	36°F (2°C)	1.3 in
April	47°F (9°C)	2.1 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.5 in	Wettest
June	69°F (21°C)	3.3 in
July	75°F (24°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	2.5 in
September	63°F (17°C)	2.1 in
October	51°F (10°C)	1.2 in
November	35°F (2°C)	0.8 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Johnstown has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.4").

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