Weather & Climate in Merriman, NE

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

Merriman experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 302 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 19.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 32.2 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 3,262 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.6°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	25°F (-4°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,262 ft (994 m)
Area	1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density	87/sq mi
Coordinates	42.9230°N, 101.6997°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Cherry County County
Nearest Airport	Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 90 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.2"

49% below US avg

Snowfall 32.2"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.27"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	13.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	57.6 / 100
Community Resilience	23.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	20 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	78 km	5 km
Oct 18, 2012	28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.6	82 km	5 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	128 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	102 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	131 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	149 km	9 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	121 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	77 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	142 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	22 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	85 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	112 km	5 km
Sep 30, 1990	29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.0	124 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	122 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	115 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	144 km	8 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	86 km	9 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	126 km	5 km
Apr 24, 2007	23 km WSW of Hay Springs, Nebraska	M2.7	108 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

225 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 74 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 25, 2024	EF3	94 km	40.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1994	EF3	94 km	12.0 mi	0
May 5, 1993	EF3	94 km	13.0 mi	0
May 18, 1977	EF3	70 km	18.8 mi	0
Jun 6, 1963	EF3	30 km	24.4 mi	0
Jun 15, 1962	EF3	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 6, 1956	EF3	68 km	28.3 mi	0
Jul 26, 2016	EF2	51 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 28, 2016	EF2	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	78 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 2003	EF2	34 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	92 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	95 km	15.0 mi	1
May 23, 1982	EF2	90 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 29, 1982	EF2	34 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 7, 1979	EF2	68 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1978	EF2	43 km	11.1 mi	0
Jul 10, 1977	EF2	8 km	15.9 mi	0
May 18, 1977	EF2	85 km	19.7 mi	0
Jul 19, 1975	EF2	59 km	20.9 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WELLNITZ (77,277 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	WELLNITZ	77,277	80 km
2000	POWDER HORN	48,608	61 km
2012	LONGHORN COMPLEX	41,443	57 km
2007	STAMPEDE	22,848	80 km
1985	YELLOWBEAR	19,212	57 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	63 km
1985	4TH OFJULY	18,177	80 km
2000	VAL COMP	15,513	98 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	70 km
2000	HASNOHORSE	13,420	24 km
1987	GRASS CK3	11,125	82 km
2000	DECKER	10,883	57 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	82 km
2000	PEPPER CREEK	8,915	74 km
2002	WANNA	7,699	95 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	59 km
2002	COTTONWOOD	6,696	69 km
1985	CALICO	6,475	76 km
2021	HACKBERRY SOUTH RX	6,463	95 km
2022	TURKEY DAY	5,998	85 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	25°F (-4°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.4 in
March	36°F (2°C)	1.0 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.9 in
May	57°F (14°C)	3.0 in
June	67°F (19°C)	3.3 in	Wettest
July	73°F (23°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	1.9 in
September	61°F (16°C)	1.5 in
October	49°F (9°C)	1.1 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.4 in

Merriman has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.3").

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