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Weather & Climate in Kenesaw, NE

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

Kenesaw experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 25°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 25.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 24.8 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 2,050 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,050 ft (625 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density802/sq mi
Coordinates40.6189°N, 98.6576°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyAdams County County
Nearest AirportKearney Regional (EAR)
20 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.7"
32% below US avg
Snowfall 24.8"
Wettest Month (May) 4.49"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score64.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability15.8 / 100
Community Resilience82.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively High
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

100 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 82 km 3 km
Jun 12, 2017 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas M3.7 108 km 5 km
Apr 10, 2018 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.7 147 km 5 km
Jun 12, 2017 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.7 106 km 5 km
May 6, 2021 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas M3.6 114 km 5 km
Jun 13, 2017 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.6 107 km 5 km
Aug 9, 2021 Kansas M3.5 103 km 5 km
Jan 4, 2016 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska M3.5 117 km 6 km
Apr 4, 2017 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas M3.4 103 km 15 km
Sep 18, 2023 Nebraska M3.4 56 km 10 km
May 21, 2017 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas M3.4 106 km 16 km
Jul 26, 2022 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska M3.4 82 km 5 km
Jun 25, 2025 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas M3.4 132 km 13 km
Apr 19, 2018 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.3 149 km 5 km
Jun 20, 2002 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska M3.3 99 km 5 km
Jan 9, 2013 5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas M3.3 115 km 5 km
Jul 29, 2021 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas M3.3 102 km 5 km
Apr 7, 2017 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas M3.3 106 km 13 km
Apr 9, 2018 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.3 148 km 5 km
Nov 13, 2001 Kansas M3.3 149 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

784 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 29 fatalities, 435 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1964 EF5 26 km 79.7 mi 4
Mar 13, 1990 EF4 64 km 131.0 mi 0
Jun 3, 1980 EF4 45 km 1.1 mi 3
Apr 7, 1978 EF4 43 km 31.2 mi 0
May 8, 1965 EF4 28 km 125.7 mi 4
May 8, 1965 EF4 68 km 78.9 mi 0
May 5, 1964 EF4 90 km 51.2 mi 0
Apr 25, 1957 EF4 92 km 89.8 mi 1
Jun 6, 1956 EF4 54 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1953 EF4 89 km 15.0 mi 11
Apr 26, 2024 EF3 65 km 9.3 mi 0
May 11, 2014 EF3 48 km 20.2 mi 0
May 27, 2013 EF3 85 km 5.7 mi 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 62 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 94 km 9.5 mi 0
Oct 9, 2001 EF3 83 km 18.0 mi 0
Sep 22, 2001 EF3 62 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 47 km 50.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 83 km 60.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 70 km 10.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH BRANCH (10,926 acres, 2022).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2022 NORTH BRANCH 10,926 80 km
2023 NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON 1,061 86 km
1989 UNNAMED 1,009 97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 29°F (-2°C) 0.6 in
March 39°F (4°C) 2.1 in
April 50°F (10°C) 2.8 in
May 61°F (16°C) 4.5 in Wettest
June 71°F (22°C) 3.5 in
July 76°F (24°C) 3.6 in Warmest
August 73°F (23°C) 3.1 in
September 65°F (18°C) 2.7 in
October 52°F (11°C) 1.6 in
November 37°F (3°C) 1.3 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 0.6 in

Kenesaw has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 25°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.5").

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