Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Newcastle, NE

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

Newcastle experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 291 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 28.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 1,288 feet.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average20°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)
Sunny Days291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,288 ft (393 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density968/sq mi
Coordinates42.6524°N, 96.8740°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyDixon County County
Nearest AirportSioux Gateway/Brig General Bud Day Field (SUX)
30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.0"
26% below US avg
Wettest Month (May) 3.78"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score8.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience32.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.

Feb 6, 1996 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska M3.6 57 km 5 km
Aug 9, 1997 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska M3.4 99 km 5 km
Jan 4, 2021 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota M3.1 92 km 5 km
Feb 5, 2025 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska M2.7 107 km 5 km
Jun 30, 2021 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa M2.7 146 km 10 km
Mar 6, 2024 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska M2.5 78 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

635 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 264 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 92 km 12.1 mi 0
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 81 km 23.9 mi 1
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 77 km 11.5 mi 1
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 58 km 15.8 mi 0
Oct 4, 2013 EF4 72 km 24.7 mi 0
Oct 4, 2013 EF4 61 km 18.3 mi 0
Jun 23, 2003 EF4 40 km 13.0 mi 1
Jul 28, 1986 EF4 8 km 52.5 mi 0
Jul 7, 1977 EF4 58 km 22.6 mi 0
May 6, 1975 EF4 76 km 4.1 mi 0
Jun 7, 1965 EF4 64 km 7.8 mi 1
Jun 23, 1952 EF4 84 km 24.1 mi 0
Jul 15, 1950 EF4 97 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 17, 2014 EF3 34 km 4.0 mi 0
Oct 4, 2013 EF3 86 km 6.4 mi 0
Jul 5, 1994 EF3 59 km 1.8 mi 0
May 27, 1991 EF3 92 km 6.0 mi 0
Aug 3, 1981 EF3 73 km 12.8 mi 0
May 8, 1979 EF3 62 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 5, 1978 EF3 67 km 8.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SIX PACK (1,649 acres, 2012).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2012 SIX PACK 1,649 83 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-6°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 24°F (-4°C) 0.6 in
March 35°F (2°C) 2.1 in
April 48°F (9°C) 2.8 in
May 60°F (16°C) 3.8 in Wettest
June 70°F (21°C) 3.8 in
July 74°F (24°C) 3.2 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 2.8 in
September 63°F (17°C) 2.6 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.0 in
November 34°F (1°C) 1.5 in
December 22°F (-6°C) 0.7 in

Newcastle has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 20°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.5").

View full profile of Newcastle, NE →