Weather & Climate in North Platte, NE

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

North Platte experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 308 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 21.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 28.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 2,801 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-4°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	49.1°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-4°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,801 ft (854 m)
Area	13.4 sq mi (34.7 km²)
Population Density	1,343/sq mi
Coordinates	41.1253°N, 100.7634°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Lincoln County County
Nearest Airport	North Platte Regional/Lee Bird Field (LBF) 4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.2"

44% below US avg

Snowfall 28.3"

Wettest Month (May) 3.31"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	48.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	27.5 / 100
Community Resilience	36.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

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

Apr 10, 2018	10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.7	59 km	5 km
Aug 19, 2015	13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska	M3.6	84 km	15 km
Jan 4, 2016	11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska	M3.5	115 km	6 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	117 km	5 km
Nov 13, 2001	Kansas	M3.3	134 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2018	10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	57 km	5 km
Apr 19, 2018	9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	57 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	133 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	59 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2018	8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	60 km	5 km
Sep 26, 2010	11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska	M3.1	85 km	10 km
Sep 30, 1990	29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.0	99 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	126 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2007	11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska	M3.0	58 km	5 km
Feb 14, 2003	7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska	M2.9	117 km	5 km
Apr 14, 2002	12 km SSW of Lebanon, Nebraska	M2.8	137 km	5 km
Apr 15, 2018	8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M2.6	60 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	4 km NW of Arnold, Nebraska	M2.5	58 km	5 km
Aug 6, 2012	21 km WNW of Mullen, Nebraska	M2.5	116 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

408 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 40 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 18, 1975	EF4	52 km	15.2 mi	0
May 30, 1961	EF4	93 km	48.1 mi	0
Oct 29, 1956	EF4	61 km	147.7 mi	0
May 17, 2019	EF3	71 km	2.1 mi	0
Mar 18, 2012	EF3	15 km	6.7 mi	0
Mar 18, 2012	EF3	9 km	1.7 mi	0
Apr 20, 2007	EF3	68 km	15.7 mi	0
May 17, 2000	EF3	38 km	11.5 mi	0
May 2, 1991	EF3	99 km	13.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1990	EF3	80 km	25.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1989	EF3	5 km	8.0 mi	0
Sep 11, 1978	EF3	87 km	22.5 mi	0
Jul 10, 1977	EF3	88 km	7.8 mi	0
Jun 18, 1975	EF3	73 km	21.9 mi	0
Jun 18, 1975	EF3	90 km	15.0 mi	0
Jun 18, 1975	EF3	53 km	9.4 mi	0
Jun 18, 1975	EF3	50 km	28.4 mi	1
Apr 26, 1974	EF3	98 km	5.6 mi	0
Jul 27, 1972	EF3	22 km	2.3 mi	0
May 30, 1961	EF3	93 km	48.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BETTY'S WAY (68,425 acres, 2024).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2024	BETTY'S WAY	68,425	29 km
1995	UNNAMED	27,237	33 km
2012	UNNAMED	17,990	51 km
2002	UNNAMED	15,972	47 km
2012	KEITH COUNTY COMPLEX	13,526	96 km
2002	UNNAMED	11,012	48 km
1999	UNNAMED	7,793	14 km
2021	UNNAMED	6,693	84 km
1989	UNNAMED	6,681	28 km
2011	HARVEST CA	6,526	38 km
2006	FOUR CORNERS	6,241	84 km
2012	UNNAMED	6,014	55 km
2018	NEBRASKA RX	5,624	85 km
2019	UNNAMED	5,143	79 km
2012	UNNAMED	4,503	73 km
2011	THEDFORD II	4,133	95 km
1989	DUNNING	4,114	93 km
2022	201 EAST	4,015	88 km
1999	UNNAMED	3,473	40 km
1987	UNNAMED	3,439	64 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	29°F (-1°C)	0.5 in
March	38°F (3°C)	1.2 in
April	48°F (9°C)	2.0 in
May	58°F (15°C)	3.3 in	Wettest
June	69°F (20°C)	3.3 in
July	74°F (23°C)	3.0 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	2.1 in
September	63°F (17°C)	1.5 in
October	51°F (10°C)	1.1 in
November	36°F (2°C)	0.8 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in

North Platte has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 26°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").

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