All Countries
Weather & Climate in Polk, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Polk experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°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 28.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 29.3 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 1,744 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,744 ft (532 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 676/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.0752°N, 97.7838°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Polk County County |
| Nearest Airport | Central Nebraska Regional (GRI) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 25.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 61.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
36 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 | 125 km | 3 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 148 km | 6 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 150 km | 15 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 126 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 150 km | 16 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2013 | 5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas | M3.3 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.3 | 150 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 2 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.1 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jun 3, 2017 | 4 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.0 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2020 | 3 km W of Burr Oak, Kansas | M3.0 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jul 18, 1990 | 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska | M3.0 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2023 | 11 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.9 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Mar 17, 2023 | 8 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.9 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Aug 22, 2023 | 11 km N of Guide Rock, Nebraska | M2.9 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Jun 19, 2017 | 1 km W of Mankato, Kansas | M2.9 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Sep 19, 2023 | 9 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.8 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 2025 | 7 km ENE of Cowles, Nebraska | M2.8 | 109 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
773 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 26 fatalities, 576 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1964 | EF5 | 76 km | 79.7 mi | 4 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF4 | 99 km | 12.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2004 | EF4 | 92 km | 54.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 64 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 47 km | 1.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 33 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 47 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 76 km | 78.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 72 km | 125.7 mi | 4 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF4 | 62 km | 51.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1957 | EF4 | 58 km | 89.8 mi | 1 |
| May 30, 1954 | EF4 | 73 km | 29.9 mi | 6 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 71 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 71 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 51 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 6 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2001 | EF3 | 7 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2001 | EF3 | 73 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 76 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 78 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 2.8 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in |
Polk has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 24°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.4") and January the driest (0.6").