Weather & Climate in Minatare, NE

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

Minatare experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 316 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 15.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 3,821 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	49.9°F
	8% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-2°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,821 ft (1,165 m)
Area	0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density	1,661/sq mi
Coordinates	41.8116°N, 103.5009°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Scotts Bluff County County
Nearest Airport	Western Nebraska Regional/William B Heilig Field (BFF) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.7"

59% below US avg

Snowfall 42.5"

Wettest Month (May) 2.72"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	63.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	31.5 / 100
Community Resilience	38.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

10 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.

Apr 9, 1996	34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.7	148 km	5 km
Oct 18, 2012	28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.6	136 km	5 km
May 3, 1996	32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.1	144 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	99 km	5 km
Jan 6, 2018	7 km SW of Guernsey, Wyoming	M3.0	117 km	5 km
Nov 2, 1992	5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming	M3.0	127 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2011	22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming	M2.9	126 km	5 km
Apr 24, 2007	23 km WSW of Hay Springs, Nebraska	M2.7	98 km	5 km
May 28, 2025	9 km ENE of Glendo, Wyoming	M2.6	142 km	5 km
Feb 27, 2021	13 km WNW of Crawford, Nebraska	M2.6	100 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

458 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 56 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 27, 1955	EF4	28 km	26.0 mi	2
Jun 9, 1991	EF3	2 km	3.5 mi	0
May 27, 1985	EF3	14 km	48.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 1978	EF3	57 km	53.2 mi	0
Jun 27, 1960	EF3	97 km	15.2 mi	0
Jun 20, 1960	EF3	49 km	26.1 mi	0
Jun 26, 1955	EF3	70 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	63 km	4.7 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	11 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 2, 2020	EF2	74 km	3.4 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	77 km	25.6 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	13 km	31.7 mi	0
Jun 5, 2009	EF2	76 km	8.3 mi	0
Jun 27, 2005	EF2	17 km	17.0 mi	0
May 21, 1998	EF2	41 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 1996	EF2	100 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 1994	EF2	44 km	6.0 mi	0
Jul 26, 1993	EF2	19 km	3.8 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF2	87 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1983	EF2	50 km	0.3 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FT.ROBINSON (46,887 acres, 1989).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1989	FT.ROBINSON	46,887	97 km
2016	SIMMONS	20,950	75 km
2022	CARTER CANYON	15,828	25 km
1989	MORRILL CO	14,497	63 km
1996	UNNAMED	14,279	63 km
2000	CO LINE	10,961	86 km
2012	JEFFRIES	8,853	86 km
2024	SCHIFF	6,714	31 km
2021	HACKBERRY CA	6,367	34 km
1999	UNNAMED	6,239	53 km
2021	POST CA	5,546	87 km
2012	UNNAMED	5,308	83 km
2012	UNNAMED	4,792	81 km
1998	SUGARLOAF	4,075	90 km
1988	UNNAMED	4,047	34 km
2022	SMOKEY	3,961	16 km
2021	313	3,859	83 km
2007	SOLDIER CREEK COMPLEX	3,838	98 km
2001	UNNAMED	3,586	36 km
2020	HUBBARDS GAP	3,435	19 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-2°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	31°F (-1°C)	0.4 in
March	37°F (3°C)	1.1 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.6 in
May	56°F (14°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
June	67°F (19°C)	2.6 in
July	75°F (24°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	1.3 in
September	62°F (17°C)	1.2 in
October	49°F (10°C)	0.8 in
November	36°F (2°C)	0.6 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	0.5 in

Minatare has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 28°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and January the driest (0.4").

View full profile of Minatare, NE →