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Weather & Climate in Pender, NE

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Pender experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 30.7 inches. The area receives 35.5 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 1,321 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.4°F
10% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,321 ft (403 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density1,803/sq mi
Coordinates42.1106°N, 96.7116°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyThurston County County
Nearest AirportSioux Gateway/Brig General Bud Day Field (SUX)
26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 30.7"
19% below US avg
Snowfall 35.5"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.25"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score26.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability69.5 / 100
Community Resilience20.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.

Feb 6, 1996 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska M3.6 82 km 5 km
Aug 9, 1997 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska M3.4 53 km 5 km
Jan 4, 2021 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota M3.1 140 km 5 km
Feb 5, 2025 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska M2.7 92 km 5 km
Mar 6, 2024 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska M2.5 118 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

591 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 18 fatalities, 311 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 39 km 23.9 mi 1
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 57 km 12.1 mi 0
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 31 km 11.5 mi 1
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 13 km 15.8 mi 0
Oct 4, 2013 EF4 55 km 24.7 mi 0
Oct 4, 2013 EF4 30 km 18.3 mi 0
Jun 23, 2003 EF4 66 km 13.0 mi 1
Jul 28, 1986 EF4 67 km 52.5 mi 0
Jul 7, 1977 EF4 5 km 22.6 mi 0
May 6, 1975 EF4 72 km 4.1 mi 0
May 30, 1954 EF4 94 km 29.9 mi 6
Aug 13, 1952 EF4 100 km 26.7 mi 0
Jul 15, 1950 EF4 36 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 17, 2014 EF3 65 km 4.0 mi 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 73 km 3.4 mi 0
Jun 11, 2008 EF3 60 km 14.2 mi 4
May 16, 1999 EF3 90 km 7.5 mi 2
May 16, 1999 EF3 86 km 6.2 mi 0
Jul 5, 1994 EF3 42 km 1.8 mi 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 91 km 26.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 21°F (-6°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 25°F (-4°C) 0.8 in
March 37°F (3°C) 2.2 in
April 49°F (10°C) 2.8 in
May 61°F (16°C) 4.2 in
June 71°F (22°C) 4.3 in Wettest
July 73°F (23°C) 3.2 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 3.0 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.0 in
October 51°F (11°C) 2.1 in
November 35°F (2°C) 1.3 in
December 23°F (-5°C) 0.9 in

Pender has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.6").

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