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Weather & Climate in Pawnee City, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pawnee City 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 282 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 1,198 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.8°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 282 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,198 ft (365 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 788/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.1106°N, 96.1531°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Pawnee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lincoln (LNK) 64 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 3.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 54.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 41 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 33 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 49 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
585 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 174 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 29, 1979 | EF4 | 95 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF4 | 89 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 100 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Aug 6, 1962 | EF4 | 73 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | EF4 | 82 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | EF3 | 84 km | 2.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 92 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2019 | EF3 | 28 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 18 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 49 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1993 | EF3 | 81 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 100 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 58 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 70 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1979 | EF3 | 96 km | 38.3 mi | 2 |
| May 31, 1978 | EF3 | 90 km | 37.0 mi | 3 |
| Jul 1, 1965 | EF3 | 71 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF3 | 85 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1964 | EF3 | 96 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 1963 | EF3 | 38 km | 4.9 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: AXELTON-BURKLUND (8,831 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | AXELTON-BURKLUND | 8,831 | 82 km |
| 2022 | CARLSON | 6,101 | 80 km |
| 2005 | OAKS | 5,673 | 85 km |
| 2014 | SHANNON CREEK | 3,954 | 75 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,244 | 79 km |
| 2004 | KRAUSE | 3,012 | 82 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,819 | 60 km |
| 2016 | BLUE RAPIDS | 1,744 | 76 km |
| 2021 | 4 DELTA 21 | 1,708 | 85 km |
| 2011 | 182 | 1,575 | 82 km |
| 2023 | ROCK CREEK | 1,433 | 77 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,296 | 82 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 1,107 | 80 km |
| 2023 | SHANNON CREEK | 1,089 | 81 km |
| 2018 | FY 18 182 ROAD BROADCAST BURN | 1,009 | 85 km |
| 2020 | MOSQR-FY20-RX-WUI | 964 | 77 km |
| 2016 | SQR BM SL DESOTO 2016 WUI RX | 866 | 77 km |
| 1988 | NORTH POOL | 698 | 76 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 645 | 77 km |
| 2009 | UNIT 6 | 625 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 2.3 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.0 in |
Pawnee City has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 25°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.8").