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Weather & Climate in Orleans, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Orleans experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 78°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 24.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 15.3 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 2,024 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 52.3°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,024 ft (617 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 558/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.1317°N, 99.4551°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Harlan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kearney Regional (EAR) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 31.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
152 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jun 22, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M4.6 | 102 km | 3 km |
| Jul 17, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.8 | 111 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.7 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 118 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 150 km | 6 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 100 km | 11 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 102 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 115 km | 15 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 120 km | 16 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 73 km | 13 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2016 | 8 km N of Ellis, Kansas | M3.3 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 66 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
601 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 45 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF4 | 79 km | 131.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 52 km | 56.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 79 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1956 | EF4 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF3 | 87 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2013 | EF3 | 84 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 73 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 33 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 80 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 52 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2007 | EF3 | 90 km | 15.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 45 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 76 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 65 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 47 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 87 km | 75.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1991 | EF3 | 78 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 59 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 81 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1978 | EF3 | 70 km | 22.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROAD 702 (45,166 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | ROAD 702 | 45,166 | 63 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 739 | 32,997 | 48 km |
| 2017 | FELLHOELTER | 1,664 | 82 km |
| 2010 | H-RX-F KIR NON NFP | 1,435 | 58 km |
| 2022 | KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX | 1,367 | 60 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 53 km |
| 2016 | KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS | 1,123 | 55 km |
| 2011 | W-RX-F NON FUNDED TREATMENT_KSKIR | 1,083 | 55 km |
| 2023 | NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON | 1,061 | 43 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 84 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,029 | 97 km |
| 2008 | H RX F BOTTOMS | 1,009 | 61 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,009 | 25 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 2.3 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in |
Orleans has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 27°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.4").