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Weather & Climate in Nelson, MO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nelson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 265 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 39.0 inches. The area receives 5.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 673 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 54.2°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 265 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 673 ft (205 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 270/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.9947°N, 93.0325°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| Nearest Airport | Sedalia Regional (DMO) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.
| May 18, 2005 | Missouri | M3.3 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Jul 31, 2005 | Missouri | M3.3 | 41 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2001 | 1 km SW of Hermitage, Missouri | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Jan 21, 1992 | 5 km SE of Linn Creek, Missouri | M3.1 | 115 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2004 | 6 km SSW of Stoutsville, Missouri | M2.9 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2015 | 3 km ESE of Clinton, Missouri | M2.6 | 94 km | 2 km |
| Jul 15, 2025 | 3 km W of Hale, Missouri | M2.5 | 74 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
409 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 275 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF4 | 89 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF4 | 91 km | 48.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1975 | EF4 | 82 km | 28.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 19, 1973 | EF4 | 67 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1970 | EF4 | 63 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 79 km | 59.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2019 | EF3 | 82 km | 32.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 60 km | 19.7 mi | 4 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 16 km | 35.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1998 | EF3 | 61 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1995 | EF3 | 69 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1990 | EF3 | 52 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1990 | EF3 | 61 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1980 | EF3 | 49 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF3 | 52 km | 11.2 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF3 | 77 km | 26.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 23, 1975 | EF3 | 86 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 72 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 80 km | 19.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 71 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,763 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,763 | 98 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,089 | 99 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,840 | 98 km |
| 2022 | WOOLDRIDGE FIRE | 1,323 | 46 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,294 | 98 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,273 | 92 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,154 | 99 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 940 | 98 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 938 | 97 km |
| 2012 | HIGHWAY E | 897 | 94 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 864 | 82 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 840 | 99 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 790 | 91 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 644 | 77 km |
| 2009 | KNOBBY | 607 | 94 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 578 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 33°F (1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 3.0 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 2.1 in |
Nelson has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 27°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and January the driest (1.4").