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Weather & Climate in Keystone, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Keystone 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 19.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 21.4 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 3,102 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 316 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,102 ft (945 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 80/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.2187°N, 101.5841°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Keith County County |
| Nearest Airport | North Platte Regional/Lee Bird Field (LBF) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 13.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 23.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 35.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
14 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Apr 10, 2018 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.7 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Oct 18, 2012 | 28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska | M3.6 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Aug 19, 2015 | 13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska | M3.6 | 127 km | 15 km |
| Aug 26, 1991 | 15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.4 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Sep 30, 1990 | 29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska | M3.0 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2025 | 4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.0 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M2.6 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Aug 6, 2012 | 21 km WNW of Mullen, Nebraska | M2.5 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 4 km NW of Arnold, Nebraska | M2.5 | 117 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
404 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 33 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 29, 1956 | EF4 | 65 km | 147.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 2024 | EF3 | 97 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2012 | EF3 | 64 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2012 | EF3 | 60 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1991 | EF3 | 56 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1989 | EF3 | 68 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1977 | EF3 | 42 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1972 | EF3 | 49 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1960 | EF3 | 84 km | 6.5 mi | 2 |
| Jun 27, 1960 | EF3 | 98 km | 15.2 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2024 | EF2 | 17 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2016 | EF2 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2012 | EF2 | 60 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2007 | EF2 | 53 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2003 | EF2 | 58 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1995 | EF2 | 39 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1990 | EF2 | 66 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1990 | EF2 | 59 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1984 | EF2 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1983 | EF2 | 30 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BETTY'S WAY (68,425 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | BETTY'S WAY | 68,425 | 96 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 27,237 | 52 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 17,990 | 24 km |
| 2012 | TURNER TATANKA | 15,749 | 68 km |
| 2012 | KEITH COUNTY COMPLEX | 13,526 | 28 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 11,012 | 80 km |
| 2012 | JEFFRIES | 8,853 | 90 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 7,793 | 81 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,681 | 95 km |
| 2011 | HARVEST CA | 6,526 | 89 km |
| 2000 | DRYWELLS | 6,492 | 58 km |
| 2019 | RED KATE | 6,115 | 78 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 6,014 | 85 km |
| 1998 | SUGARLOAF | 4,075 | 84 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,473 | 69 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 3,439 | 33 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,192 | 36 km |
| 1986 | W BLUE CREEK | 3,167 | 85 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,149 | 94 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,926 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 38°F (4°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 2.8 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in |
Keystone has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 27°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.6").