Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McCool Junction experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 24°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 27.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 24.7 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 1,577 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
50.4°F
7% below US avg
January Average
24°F (-5°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
308 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,577 ft (481 m)
Area
0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density
1,451/sq mi
Coordinates
40.7439°N, 97.6008°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
York County County
Nearest Airport
Central Nebraska Regional (GRI) 40 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall27.3"
28% below US avg
Snowfall24.7"
Wettest Month (May)4.53"
Driest Month (Jan)0.67"
Air Quality
AQI Median
32.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
52.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
70.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively High
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
79 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.8.
Jul 17, 2022
8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska
M3.8
97 km
3 km
Jun 12, 2017
8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas
M3.7
120 km
5 km
Jun 12, 2017
5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas
M3.7
121 km
5 km
May 6, 2021
5 km S of Formoso, Kansas
M3.6
118 km
5 km
Jun 13, 2017
6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas
M3.6
121 km
5 km
Aug 9, 2021
Kansas
M3.5
132 km
5 km
May 21, 2017
7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas
M3.4
119 km
16 km
Sep 18, 2023
Nebraska
M3.4
88 km
10 km
Aug 9, 1997
9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska
M3.4
122 km
5 km
Jul 26, 2022
8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska
M3.4
97 km
5 km
Apr 4, 2017
3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas
M3.4
120 km
15 km
Jun 20, 2002
8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska
M3.3
121 km
5 km
Jan 9, 2013
5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas
M3.3
115 km
5 km
Apr 7, 2017
7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas
M3.3
119 km
13 km
Jul 29, 2021
11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas
M3.3
130 km
5 km
Apr 7, 2017
5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas
M3.2
121 km
15 km
Jun 12, 2017
6 km N of Jewell, Kansas
M3.2
122 km
5 km
May 6, 2021
2 km S of Formoso, Kansas
M3.1
115 km
5 km
Apr 6, 2017
6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas
M3.0
121 km
14 km
Feb 8, 2020
3 km W of Burr Oak, Kansas
M3.0
116 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
806 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 21 fatalities, 580 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 5, 1964
EF5
68 km
79.7 mi
4
May 22, 2004
EF4
52 km
54.0 mi
1
Jun 13, 2001
EF4
45 km
8.0 mi
0
Jun 3, 1980
EF4
62 km
1.1 mi
3
Apr 7, 1978
EF4
58 km
31.2 mi
0
Apr 7, 1978
EF4
51 km
8.0 mi
0
May 8, 1965
EF4
85 km
125.7 mi
4
May 5, 1964
EF4
98 km
51.2 mi
0
Apr 25, 1957
EF4
18 km
89.8 mi
1
Apr 26, 2024
EF3
84 km
5.3 mi
0
Apr 26, 2024
EF3
100 km
9.3 mi
0
May 6, 2015
EF3
99 km
1.9 mi
0
May 11, 2014
EF3
14 km
19.1 mi
0
May 11, 2014
EF3
52 km
20.2 mi
0
Jun 20, 2011
EF3
38 km
9.5 mi
0
Oct 9, 2001
EF3
43 km
18.0 mi
0
Sep 22, 2001
EF3
47 km
10.0 mi
0
Jul 24, 1993
EF3
67 km
9.0 mi
0
May 7, 1993
EF3
89 km
75.0 mi
0
Jun 15, 1992
EF3
55 km
14.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (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
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
24°F (-5°C)
0.7 in
Coldest, Driest
February
29°F (-2°C)
0.7 in
March
39°F (4°C)
2.4 in
April
51°F (11°C)
2.8 in
May
62°F (17°C)
4.5 in
Wettest
June
72°F (22°C)
3.9 in
July
75°F (24°C)
3.4 in
Warmest
August
74°F (23°C)
3.2 in
September
65°F (18°C)
2.9 in
October
53°F (12°C)
2.1 in
November
38°F (3°C)
1.6 in
December
27°F (-3°C)
0.8 in
McCool Junction has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 24°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.7").