Weather & Climate in Ogallala, NE

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

Ogallala experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 316 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 19.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 24.6 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 3,233 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-3°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	50.6°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-3°C)
July Average	76°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,233 ft (985 m)
Area	5.0 sq mi (13.0 km²)
Population Density	968/sq mi
Coordinates	41.1296°N, 101.7207°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Keith County County
Nearest Airport	North Platte Regional/Lee Bird Field (LBF) 54 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.5"

49% below US avg

Snowfall 24.6"

Wettest Month (May) 3.31"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	13.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	23.0 / 100
Community Resilience	35.7 / 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	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

12 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	136 km	5 km
Oct 18, 2012	28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.6	122 km	5 km
Aug 19, 2015	13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska	M3.6	141 km	15 km
Apr 19, 2018	9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	134 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2018	10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	134 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	134 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2018	8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	136 km	5 km
Sep 30, 1990	29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.0	78 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2007	11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska	M3.0	101 km	5 km
Apr 15, 2018	8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M2.6	136 km	5 km
Aug 6, 2012	21 km WNW of Mullen, Nebraska	M2.5	113 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	4 km NW of Arnold, Nebraska	M2.5	130 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

425 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 33 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Oct 29, 1956	EF4	64 km	147.7 mi	0
Mar 18, 2012	EF3	71 km	1.7 mi	0
Mar 18, 2012	EF3	72 km	6.7 mi	0
Jul 5, 2000	EF3	96 km	6.0 mi	0
May 2, 1991	EF3	43 km	13.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1989	EF3	79 km	8.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 1977	EF3	53 km	7.8 mi	0
Jul 27, 1972	EF3	61 km	2.3 mi	0
Jun 27, 1960	EF3	86 km	15.2 mi	0
Jun 27, 1960	EF3	69 km	6.5 mi	2
May 23, 2024	EF2	15 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 18, 2012	EF2	72 km	1.7 mi	0
Mar 28, 2007	EF2	41 km	15.9 mi	0
Jun 20, 2003	EF2	52 km	1.5 mi	0
May 21, 1995	EF2	33 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1990	EF2	56 km	15.0 mi	0
May 18, 1990	EF2	67 km	20.0 mi	0
Jun 11, 1984	EF2	84 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 1983	EF2	25 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 15, 1980	EF2	50 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOGAN (30,076 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	LOGAN	30,076	94 km
1995	UNNAMED	27,237	66 km
2012	UNNAMED	17,990	39 km
2012	TURNER TATANKA	15,749	69 km
2012	KEITH COUNTY COMPLEX	13,526	27 km
2002	UNNAMED	11,012	82 km
2012	JEFFRIES	8,853	86 km
1999	UNNAMED	7,793	92 km
2000	DRYWELLS	6,492	57 km
2019	RED KATE	6,115	78 km
2012	UNNAMED	6,014	100 km
1998	SUGARLOAF	4,075	80 km
1999	UNNAMED	3,473	72 km
1987	UNNAMED	3,439	48 km
2000	UNNAMED	3,192	40 km
1986	W BLUE CREEK	3,167	82 km
1989	UNNAMED	2,706	92 km
2018	COUNTY ROAD 56	1,866	95 km
2008	UNNAMED	1,861	72 km
1994	STABLE	1,706	79 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-3°C)	0.5 in
February	31°F (-1°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	38°F (4°C)	1.3 in
April	48°F (9°C)	1.8 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.3 in	Wettest
June	69°F (21°C)	3.0 in
July	76°F (25°C)	2.6 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	1.7 in
September	63°F (17°C)	1.3 in
October	50°F (10°C)	0.8 in
November	36°F (2°C)	0.6 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Ogallala has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 27°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and February the driest (0.4").

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