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 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°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 28.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 1,536 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	48.5°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	308 days/yr

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

Annual Rainfall 28.2"

26% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 4.33"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

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	21°F (-6°C)	0.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.8 in
March	38°F (3°C)	2.0 in
April	50°F (10°C)	2.5 in
May	61°F (16°C)	4.2 in
June	71°F (22°C)	4.3 in	Wettest
July	74°F (23°C)	3.3 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	3.2 in
September	64°F (18°C)	2.8 in
October	52°F (11°C)	2.0 in
November	36°F (2°C)	1.3 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.8 in

Platte Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.5").

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