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Weather & Climate in McCook, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McCook experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 78°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 20.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 2,581 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 52.2°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,581 ft (787 m) |
| Area | 5.4 sq mi (14.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,348/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.2045°N, 100.6216°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Red Willow County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK) 2 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 20.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
46 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 | 134 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 123 km | 11 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 145 km | 13 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska | M3.1 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | Kansas | M3.1 | 145 km | 4 km |
| Apr 16, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 139 km | 5 km |
| May 11, 2019 | 5 km NNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Apr 17, 2003 | 4 km WNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2025 | 2 km SW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 148 km | 12 km |
| Apr 16, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska | M3.0 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2003 | 7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska | M2.9 | 51 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2025 | 3 km SSE of Hill City, Kansas | M2.9 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2019 | 2 km E of Zurich, Kansas | M2.9 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2003 | 4 km WNW of Zurich, Kansas | M2.8 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2002 | 12 km SSW of Lebanon, Nebraska | M2.8 | 39 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
498 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 44 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 15, 1990 | EF4 | 52 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 29, 1956 | EF4 | 75 km | 147.7 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF3 | 54 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2012 | EF3 | 93 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 86 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 89 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2007 | EF3 | 56 km | 15.7 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2000 | EF3 | 86 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 81 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 92 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1978 | EF3 | 69 km | 22.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 28 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 45 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 91 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1971 | EF3 | 62 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF3 | 81 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1965 | EF3 | 76 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 29, 1956 | EF3 | 44 km | 65.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1954 | EF3 | 59 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1953 | EF3 | 89 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROAD 702 (45,166 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | ROAD 702 | 45,166 | 37 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 739 | 32,997 | 66 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 15,972 | 80 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 11,012 | 62 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,473 | 73 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,488 | 33 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,476 | 54 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,397 | 90 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,285 | 60 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 70 km |
| 2023 | NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON | 1,061 | 87 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 2.5 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in |
McCook has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 29°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.5").