Weather & Climate in Mitchell, NE

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

Mitchell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 282 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 3,952 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	49.0°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-2°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	282 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,952 ft (1,205 m)
Area	0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density	2,693/sq mi
Coordinates	41.9427°N, 103.8098°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Scotts Bluff County County
Nearest Airport	Western Nebraska Regional/William B Heilig Field (BFF) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (May) 2.72"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

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	128 km	5 km
Dec 13, 1993	14 km SW of Esterbrook, Wyoming	M3.2	146 km	5 km
May 3, 1996	32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.1	124 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	101 km	5 km
Jan 6, 2018	7 km SW of Guernsey, Wyoming	M3.0	88 km	5 km
Nov 2, 1992	5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming	M3.0	101 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2011	22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming	M2.9	105 km	5 km
Apr 24, 2007	23 km WSW of Hay Springs, Nebraska	M2.7	101 km	5 km
May 28, 2025	9 km ENE of Glendo, Wyoming	M2.6	113 km	5 km
Feb 27, 2021	13 km WNW of Crawford, Nebraska	M2.6	88 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

465 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 53 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 27, 1955	EF4	2 km	26.0 mi	2
Jun 9, 1991	EF3	29 km	3.5 mi	0
May 27, 1985	EF3	25 km	48.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 1978	EF3	30 km	53.2 mi	0
Jun 20, 1960	EF3	72 km	26.1 mi	0
Jun 26, 1955	EF3	42 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	20 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	42 km	4.7 mi	0
Jul 2, 2020	EF2	73 km	3.4 mi	0
Sep 10, 2019	EF2	74 km	19.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	49 km	25.6 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	41 km	31.7 mi	0
May 18, 2010	EF2	97 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 2009	EF2	59 km	8.3 mi	0
Jun 27, 2005	EF2	36 km	17.0 mi	0
May 21, 1998	EF2	13 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 6, 1994	EF2	73 km	6.0 mi	0
Jul 26, 1993	EF2	10 km	3.8 mi	0
May 24, 1990	EF2	76 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1983	EF2	29 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: WEST ASH (55,228 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	WEST ASH	55,228	98 km
1989	FT.ROBINSON	46,887	84 km
2006	SIOUX COUNTY COMPLEX	39,567	88 km
2012	DOUTHIT	29,036	96 km
2024	PLEASANT VALLEY	28,249	79 km
2006	OLD CHICAGO	25,218	92 km
2016	SIMMONS	20,950	48 km
2022	CARTER CANYON	15,828	21 km
1989	MORRILL CO	14,497	90 km
1996	UNNAMED	14,279	41 km
2000	CO LINE	10,961	66 km
2024	SCHIFF	6,714	49 km
2021	HACKBERRY CA	6,367	60 km
1999	UNNAMED	6,239	75 km
2021	POST CA	5,546	78 km
2012	UNNAMED	5,308	90 km
2012	UNNAMED	4,792	97 km
1996	SPRING CR.	4,682	97 km
1988	UNNAMED	4,047	24 km
2022	SMOKEY	3,961	39 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-2°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	30°F (-1°C)	0.4 in
March	37°F (3°C)	1.0 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.7 in
May	56°F (13°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
June	66°F (19°C)	2.5 in
July	74°F (23°C)	2.0 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.2 in
September	61°F (16°C)	1.1 in
October	49°F (9°C)	0.9 in
November	36°F (2°C)	0.6 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Mitchell has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 27°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.7") and January the driest (0.4").

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