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Weather & Climate in Litchfield, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Litchfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°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 26.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.9 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 2,163 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 49.5°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,163 ft (659 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 957/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.1560°N, 99.1531°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Custer County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kearney Regional (EAR) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 28.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 17.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
28 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 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Aug 19, 2015 | 13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska | M3.6 | 116 km | 15 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 45 km | 6 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska | M3.1 | 53 km | 10 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska | M3.0 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2023 | 11 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.9 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2003 | 7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska | M2.9 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Mar 17, 2023 | 8 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.9 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Aug 22, 2023 | 11 km N of Guide Rock, Nebraska | M2.9 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 2020 | 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska | M2.8 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 2025 | 7 km ENE of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.8 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | 9 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.8 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Feb 5, 2025 | 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska | M2.7 | 145 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
659 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 28 fatalities, 420 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1964 | EF5 | 94 km | 79.7 mi | 4 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 76 km | 1.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 81 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF4 | 92 km | 15.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 41 km | 78.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 56 km | 125.7 mi | 4 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF4 | 70 km | 51.2 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1961 | EF4 | 79 km | 48.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1956 | EF4 | 21 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1953 | EF4 | 19 km | 15.0 mi | 11 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 45 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 45 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 49 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 80 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 56 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 42 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1990 | EF3 | 58 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 71 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 65 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 45 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOWERY (4,881 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | LOWERY | 4,881 | 97 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,883 | 86 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 3,688 | 83 km |
| 2023 | DEL PORTO | 2,856 | 95 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,456 | 98 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 2,298 | 83 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,283 | 99 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,185 | 85 km |
| 2023 | NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON | 1,061 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 2.3 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in |
Litchfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.4").