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Weather & Climate in O'Neill, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
O'Neill experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°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 25.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.6 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 2,005 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 47.7°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,005 ft (611 m) |
| Area | 2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,527/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.4615°N, 98.6470°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Holt County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 69 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 17.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 41.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| 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: M4.3.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska | M4.3 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 129 km | 6 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 1994 | 8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska | M3.3 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska | M3.0 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2006 | 6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska | M2.9 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2020 | 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska | M2.8 | 29 km | 10 km |
| Feb 5, 2025 | 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska | M2.7 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2010 | 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska | M2.7 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 99 km | 5 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
384 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 163 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 93 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1962 | EF4 | 29 km | 24.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF3 | 63 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2003 | EF3 | 15 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1979 | EF3 | 97 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1965 | EF3 | 88 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1965 | EF3 | 89 km | 15.4 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF3 | 97 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF3 | 55 km | 44.8 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1963 | EF3 | 97 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1962 | EF3 | 76 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1962 | EF3 | 88 km | 71.7 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1962 | EF3 | 46 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1962 | EF3 | 72 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1960 | EF3 | 96 km | 10.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 18, 1954 | EF3 | 76 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1953 | EF3 | 99 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2023 | EF2 | 43 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2015 | EF2 | 78 km | 16.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (6,910 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 6,910 | 83 km |
| 2023 | LOWERY | 4,881 | 61 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 3,688 | 86 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,145 | 68 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 2,911 | 52 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 2,875 | 76 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,456 | 58 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 2,130 | 72 km |
| 2012 | KAYLKOWSKI | 1,966 | 39 km |
| 2012 | SIX PACK | 1,649 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 2.3 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 35°F (1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.7 in |
O'Neill has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 22°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.5").