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Weather & Climate in Laurel, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Laurel experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°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 27.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 32.2 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 1,480 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.3°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,480 ft (451 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 712/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.4286°N, 97.0964°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Cedar County County |
| Nearest Airport | Norfolk Regional/Karl Stefan Memorial Field (OFK) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 21.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 16.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 49.5 / 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 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 38 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2020 | 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska | M2.8 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Feb 5, 2025 | 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska | M2.7 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 71 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
617 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 285 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 38 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 53 km | 23.9 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 63 km | 12.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 51 km | 11.5 mi | 1 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF4 | 82 km | 24.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF4 | 34 km | 18.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2003 | EF4 | 20 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 28, 1986 | EF4 | 30 km | 52.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1977 | EF4 | 45 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 47 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1965 | EF4 | 83 km | 7.8 mi | 1 |
| May 30, 1954 | EF4 | 94 km | 29.9 mi | 6 |
| Jul 15, 1950 | EF4 | 81 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF3 | 18 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF3 | 65 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1994 | EF3 | 66 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1991 | EF3 | 80 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1981 | EF3 | 95 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1979 | EF3 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1978 | EF3 | 98 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SIX PACK (1,649 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | SIX PACK | 1,649 | 75 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 2.5 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 22°F (-5°C) | 0.8 in |
Laurel has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.6").