All Countries
Weather & Climate in Kearney, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kearney experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°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 25.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 21.8 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 2,159 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 49.9°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,159 ft (658 m) |
| Area | 13.0 sq mi (33.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,262/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.7017°N, 99.0823°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Buffalo County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kearney Regional (EAR) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 66.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 69.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
98 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jul 17, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.8 | 111 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.7 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 133 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 92 km | 6 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 129 km | 15 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 133 km | 13 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 112 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 132 km | 16 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 86 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 2013 | 5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas | M3.3 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.3 | 133 km | 13 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 98 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
707 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 27 fatalities, 422 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1964 | EF5 | 62 km | 79.7 mi | 4 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF4 | 86 km | 131.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 70 km | 1.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 71 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 45 km | 125.7 mi | 4 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 68 km | 78.9 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF4 | 98 km | 51.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1956 | EF4 | 30 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1953 | EF4 | 70 km | 15.0 mi | 11 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 68 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 85 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 25 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2001 | EF3 | 99 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 11 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 34 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 50 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 72 km | 75.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1990 | EF3 | 89 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 55 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 20 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROAD 739 (32,997 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | ROAD 739 | 32,997 | 76 km |
| 2023 | NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON | 1,061 | 54 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,009 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 38°F (4°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.0 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 2.3 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in |
Kearney has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.4").