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. 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 16 / among the cleanest air in the country. 89% of days have good air quality. 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) |
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
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 16.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 88.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
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) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 2.5 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 1.2 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
Mitchell has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 28°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and January the driest (0.4").