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Weather & Climate in Orchard, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Orchard experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 23°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 26.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 31.7 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 1,942 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 49.2°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,942 ft (592 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 865/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.3365°N, 98.2409°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Antelope County County |
| Nearest Airport | Norfolk Regional/Karl Stefan Memorial Field (OFK) 48 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 19.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 41.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very 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
15 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 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 139 km | 6 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska | M3.0 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2006 | 6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska | M2.9 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2020 | 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska | M2.8 | 42 km | 10 km |
| Mar 20, 2010 | 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska | M2.7 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Feb 5, 2025 | 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska | M2.7 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 61 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
448 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 193 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 90 km | 12.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF4 | 99 km | 18.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2003 | EF4 | 78 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 57 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1962 | EF4 | 42 km | 24.2 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1954 | EF4 | 80 km | 29.9 mi | 6 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF3 | 84 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF3 | 31 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2003 | EF3 | 51 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1979 | EF3 | 84 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF3 | 95 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF3 | 66 km | 44.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1965 | EF3 | 78 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1965 | EF3 | 78 km | 15.4 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF3 | 76 km | 44.8 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1963 | EF3 | 64 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1962 | EF3 | 66 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1962 | EF3 | 71 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1962 | EF3 | 56 km | 71.7 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1962 | EF3 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOWERY (4,881 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | LOWERY | 4,881 | 79 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,145 | 98 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 2,911 | 39 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,456 | 53 km |
| 2012 | KAYLKOWSKI | 1,966 | 56 km |
| 2012 | SIX PACK | 1,649 | 59 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 2.3 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in |
Orchard has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 23°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.5").