Weather & Climate in Platte Center, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Platte Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 1,536 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,536 ft (468 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,090/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.5374°N, 97.4885°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Platte County County |
| Nearest Airport | Norfolk Regional/Karl Stefan Memorial Field (OFK) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 70.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 25.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 55.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7 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 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 38 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska | M3.0 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2020 | 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska | M2.8 | 126 km | 10 km |
| Feb 5, 2025 | 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska | M2.7 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 142 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
673 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 431 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 61 km | 11.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 55 km | 23.9 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 83 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 42 km | 12.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF4 | 74 km | 18.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 84 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 97 km | 1.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 40 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 99 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1977 | EF4 | 94 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 74 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF4 | 76 km | 51.2 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1954 | EF4 | 29 km | 29.9 mi | 6 |
| Aug 13, 1952 | EF4 | 84 km | 26.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1950 | EF4 | 79 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 94 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 55 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2001 | EF3 | 61 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 97 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1991 | EF3 | 93 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,911 acres, 1995).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 2,911 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.6 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 2.5 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 in |
Platte Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 23°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (0.7").