Weather & Climate in Maxwell, NE

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Maxwell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 76°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 21.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 29.6 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 2,712 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	49.9°F
	8% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,712 ft (827 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density	500/sq mi
Coordinates	41.0771°N, 100.5263°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Lincoln County County
Nearest Airport	North Platte Regional/Lee Bird Field (LBF) 9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.1"

45% below US avg

Snowfall 29.6"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.39"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	48.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	27.5 / 100
Community Resilience	36.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively 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

21 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	46 km	5 km
Aug 19, 2015	13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska	M3.6	81 km	15 km
Jan 4, 2016	11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska	M3.5	99 km	6 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	121 km	5 km
Nov 13, 2001	Kansas	M3.3	123 km	5 km
Apr 19, 2018	9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	43 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2018	10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	43 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	136 km	5 km
Sep 26, 2010	11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska	M3.1	64 km	10 km
Apr 16, 2018	8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	47 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	47 km	5 km
Jul 18, 1990	10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska	M3.0	140 km	5 km
Sep 30, 1990	29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.0	116 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	131 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2007	11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska	M3.0	56 km	5 km
Feb 14, 2003	7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska	M2.9	103 km	5 km
Apr 14, 2002	12 km SSW of Lebanon, Nebraska	M2.8	128 km	5 km
Apr 15, 2018	8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M2.6	47 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2010	8 km WNW of Norton, Kansas	M2.6	142 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	4 km NW of Arnold, Nebraska	M2.5	49 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

407 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 54 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 18, 1975	EF4	40 km	15.2 mi	0
May 30, 1961	EF4	82 km	48.1 mi	0
Oct 29, 1956	EF4	72 km	147.7 mi	0
May 17, 2019	EF3	56 km	2.1 mi	0
Mar 18, 2012	EF3	30 km	1.7 mi	0
Mar 18, 2012	EF3	30 km	6.7 mi	0
Apr 20, 2007	EF3	53 km	15.7 mi	0
May 17, 2000	EF3	19 km	11.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 1993	EF3	97 km	60.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1993	EF3	97 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1990	EF3	62 km	25.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1989	EF3	24 km	8.0 mi	0
Sep 11, 1978	EF3	69 km	22.5 mi	0
Jun 18, 1975	EF3	32 km	9.4 mi	0
Jun 18, 1975	EF3	30 km	28.4 mi	1
Jun 18, 1975	EF3	80 km	15.0 mi	0
Jun 18, 1975	EF3	61 km	21.9 mi	0
Apr 26, 1974	EF3	81 km	5.6 mi	0
Apr 20, 1974	EF3	93 km	63.5 mi	0
Jul 27, 1972	EF3	42 km	2.3 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	16 km
2022	ROAD 739	32,997	92 km
1995	UNNAMED	27,237	50 km
2012	UNNAMED	17,990	71 km
2002	UNNAMED	15,972	28 km
2002	UNNAMED	11,012	52 km
1999	UNNAMED	7,793	14 km
2021	UNNAMED	6,693	85 km
1989	UNNAMED	6,681	15 km
2011	HARVEST CA	6,526	39 km
2006	FOUR CORNERS	6,241	84 km
2012	UNNAMED	6,014	62 km
2018	NEBRASKA RX	5,624	85 km
2019	UNNAMED	5,143	81 km
2012	UNNAMED	4,503	74 km
1989	DUNNING	4,114	89 km
2022	201 EAST	4,015	86 km
1999	UNNAMED	3,473	49 km
1987	UNNAMED	3,439	84 km
1995	UNNAMED	3,149	10 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	29°F (-2°C)	0.5 in
March	38°F (3°C)	1.3 in
April	48°F (9°C)	2.0 in
May	58°F (15°C)	3.4 in
June	68°F (20°C)	3.4 in	Wettest
July	76°F (24°C)	3.1 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	2.2 in
September	63°F (17°C)	1.5 in
October	51°F (10°C)	1.2 in
November	36°F (2°C)	0.8 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in

Maxwell has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 26°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.4").

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