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Weather & Climate in Palmer, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Palmer experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 77°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 27.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 22.4 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 1,795 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.7°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,795 ft (547 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 842/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.2225°N, 98.2598°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Merrick County County |
| Nearest Airport | Central Nebraska Regional (GRI) 18 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 42.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
22 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jul 17, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.8 | 137 km | 3 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 105 km | 6 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska | M3.1 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska | M3.0 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Mar 17, 2023 | 8 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.9 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Aug 22, 2023 | 11 km N of Guide Rock, Nebraska | M2.9 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Jul 1, 2023 | 11 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.9 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2020 | 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska | M2.8 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 2025 | 7 km ENE of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.8 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | 9 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.8 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Feb 5, 2025 | 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska | M2.7 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 5 km WNW of Burr Oak, Kansas | M2.7 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | 10 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.6 | 116 km | 8 km |
| Jun 17, 2025 | 15 km SSW of Riverton, Nebraska | M2.6 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Mar 17, 2024 | 11 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.5 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Sep 3, 2023 | 10 km SSW of Lawrence, Nebraska | M2.5 | 113 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
733 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 33 fatalities, 460 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1964 | EF5 | 75 km | 79.7 mi | 4 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 34 km | 1.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 70 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 39 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 34 km | 78.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 49 km | 125.7 mi | 4 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF4 | 22 km | 51.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1957 | EF4 | 92 km | 89.8 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 1956 | EF4 | 76 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1954 | EF4 | 72 km | 29.9 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 1953 | EF4 | 74 km | 15.0 mi | 11 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 30 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 90 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 82 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 48 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2001 | EF3 | 37 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2001 | EF3 | 91 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 87 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 91 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 42 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,911 acres, 1995).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 2,911 | 90 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,456 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 2.9 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in |
Palmer has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 25°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.5").