Weather & Climate in Merna, NE

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

Merna experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°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 23.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 29.5 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 2,661 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	48.0°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-4°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,661 ft (811 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density	704/sq mi
Coordinates	41.4852°N, 99.7611°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Custer County County
Nearest Airport	North Platte Regional/Lee Bird Field (LBF) 54 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.0"

39% below US avg

Snowfall 29.5"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.94"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

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

22 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	34 km	5 km
Aug 19, 2015	13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska	M3.6	53 km	15 km
Jan 4, 2016	11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska	M3.5	24 km	6 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	99 km	5 km
Apr 19, 2018	9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	36 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2018	10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	36 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	131 km	5 km
Jun 20, 2002	8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska	M3.3	95 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	109 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	34 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2018	8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	33 km	5 km
Sep 26, 2010	11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska	M3.1	50 km	10 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	111 km	5 km
Jul 18, 1990	10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska	M3.0	67 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2007	11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska	M3.0	128 km	5 km
Sep 30, 1990	29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.0	150 km	5 km
Feb 14, 2003	7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska	M2.9	141 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2006	6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska	M2.9	128 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2020	2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska	M2.8	118 km	10 km
Apr 15, 2018	8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M2.6	33 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

408 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 59 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 18, 1975	EF4	41 km	15.2 mi	0
May 8, 1965	EF4	95 km	78.9 mi	0
May 30, 1961	EF4	18 km	48.1 mi	0
Jun 6, 1956	EF4	80 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1953	EF4	55 km	15.0 mi	11
Jun 20, 2011	EF3	85 km	10.0 mi	0
May 17, 2000	EF3	78 km	11.5 mi	0
Jun 3, 1999	EF3	51 km	14.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1993	EF3	93 km	50.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1993	EF3	88 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1990	EF3	25 km	25.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1989	EF3	92 km	8.0 mi	0
Jun 18, 1975	EF3	69 km	9.4 mi	0
Jun 18, 1975	EF3	57 km	28.4 mi	1
Apr 26, 1974	EF3	21 km	5.6 mi	0
Apr 26, 1974	EF3	50 km	6.1 mi	0
Apr 20, 1974	EF3	66 km	63.5 mi	0
Jul 20, 1972	EF3	13 km	32.8 mi	0
May 8, 1965	EF3	97 km	10.2 mi	0
May 8, 1965	EF3	88 km	44.8 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	64 km
2022	BOVEE	18,875	73 km
2002	UNNAMED	15,972	82 km
1999	UNNAMED	7,793	79 km
2021	UNNAMED	6,693	68 km
1989	UNNAMED	6,681	65 km
2011	HARVEST CA	6,526	66 km
2006	FOUR CORNERS	6,241	66 km
2012	UNNAMED	6,014	81 km
2018	NEBRASKA RX	5,624	66 km
2022	LEACH CA	5,195	64 km
2019	UNNAMED	5,143	69 km
2023	LOWERY	4,881	81 km
2012	UNNAMED	4,503	62 km
2011	THEDFORD II	4,133	96 km
1989	DUNNING	4,114	51 km
2022	201 EAST	4,015	56 km
2000	UNNAMED	3,883	37 km
1998	UNNAMED	3,688	57 km
1995	UNNAMED	3,149	69 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.5 in
March	37°F (3°C)	1.5 in
April	48°F (9°C)	2.3 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.5 in
June	69°F (20°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
July	73°F (23°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	2.6 in
September	63°F (17°C)	2.0 in
October	51°F (10°C)	1.4 in
November	35°F (2°C)	1.0 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in

Merna has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 24°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.4").

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