Weather & Climate in Lewiston, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lewiston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.0 inches. The area receives 21.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 1,460 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 51.2°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,460 ft (445 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 364/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.2431°N, 96.4066°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Pawnee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lincoln (LNK) 50 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 3.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 54.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2013 | 5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas | M3.3 | 143 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 2 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.1 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 127 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km SSW of Formoso, Kansas | M3.0 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 18 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 2019 | 6 km SSE of Formoso, Kansas | M2.6 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Aug 31, 2017 | 7 km S of Courtland, Kansas | M2.6 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 2017 | 9 km NW of Jamestown, Kansas | M2.5 | 145 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
603 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 240 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2004 | EF4 | 79 km | 54.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 88 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF4 | 96 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1962 | EF4 | 97 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | EF4 | 93 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | EF3 | 95 km | 2.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 71 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2019 | EF3 | 54 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 43 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 69 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1993 | EF3 | 57 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 83 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 75 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 40 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 57 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1979 | EF3 | 93 km | 38.3 mi | 2 |
| May 11, 1966 | EF3 | 95 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1965 | EF3 | 53 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF3 | 99 km | 40.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF3 | 89 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: AXELTON-BURKLUND (8,831 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | AXELTON-BURKLUND | 8,831 | 86 km |
| 2022 | CARLSON | 6,101 | 86 km |
| 2014 | SHANNON CREEK | 3,954 | 81 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,244 | 96 km |
| 2004 | KRAUSE | 3,012 | 99 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,819 | 64 km |
| 2016 | BLUE RAPIDS | 1,744 | 79 km |
| 2023 | ROCK CREEK | 1,433 | 58 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,296 | 68 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 1,107 | 89 km |
| 2023 | SHANNON CREEK | 1,089 | 86 km |
| 2020 | MOSQR-FY20-RX-WUI | 964 | 99 km |
| 2016 | SQR BM SL DESOTO 2016 WUI RX | 866 | 99 km |
| 1988 | NORTH POOL | 698 | 98 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 645 | 99 km |
| 2009 | UNIT 6 | 625 | 100 km |
| 2002 | SCRDGRS 6 | 536 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 40°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.2 in |
Lewiston has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 24°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.3") and January the driest (0.8").