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Weather & Climate in Lincoln, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lincoln experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 305 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 21.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 18.8 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 1,220 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.8°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,220 ft (372 m) |
| Area | 101.1 sq mi (261.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,888/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.8089°N, 96.6779°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lancaster County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lincoln (LNK) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 102 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
691 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 541 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF4 | 52 km | 31.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2004 | EF4 | 77 km | 54.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 34 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 75 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 65 km | 8.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 25, 1957 | EF4 | 79 km | 89.8 mi | 1 |
| Aug 13, 1952 | EF4 | 46 km | 26.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 90 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 8 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 82 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 67 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 92 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1993 | EF3 | 66 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 66 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 23 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 98 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 33 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 100 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1988 | EF3 | 85 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1979 | EF3 | 77 km | 38.3 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK CREEK (1,433 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | ROCK CREEK | 1,433 | 86 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 629 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
Lincoln has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 27°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.6").