Weather & Climate in Potter, NE

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

Potter experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 316 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 18.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 28.8 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 4,413 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	49.4°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	316 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,413 ft (1,345 m)
Area	1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²)
Population Density	198/sq mi
Coordinates	41.2173°N, 103.3074°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Cheyenne County County
Nearest Airport	Western Nebraska Regional/William B Heilig Field (BFF) 48 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.2"

52% below US avg

Snowfall 28.8"

Wettest Month (May) 2.99"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	27.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	12.8 / 100
Community Resilience	50.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.

Jun 1, 2014	9 km NNW of Kersey, Colorado	M3.2	138 km	1 km
Mar 30, 2019	7 km NE of Greeley, Colorado	M2.9	139 km	6 km
Aug 23, 2016	2 km SSE of Eaton, Colorado	M2.6	142 km	10 km
Jun 23, 2014	6 km NNE of Kersey, Colorado	M2.5	135 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

578 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 70 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 27, 1955	EF4	89 km	26.0 mi	2
Jul 5, 2000	EF3	79 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 1991	EF3	67 km	3.5 mi	0
May 27, 1985	EF3	66 km	48.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 1974	EF3	61 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 27, 1960	EF3	86 km	6.5 mi	2
Jun 27, 1960	EF3	47 km	15.2 mi	0
Jun 20, 1960	EF3	19 km	26.1 mi	0
May 19, 2024	EF2	49 km	1.6 mi	0
Jun 23, 2023	EF2	72 km	2.5 mi	0
Sep 11, 2019	EF2	60 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 11, 2019	EF2	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	93 km	15.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	67 km	31.7 mi	0
May 18, 2010	EF2	89 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 27, 2005	EF2	55 km	17.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 2003	EF2	92 km	1.5 mi	0
May 21, 1998	EF2	97 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 1996	EF2	34 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 1994	EF2	58 km	6.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOGAN (30,076 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	LOGAN	30,076	72 km
2022	CARTER CANYON	15,828	72 km
1989	MORRILL CO	14,497	78 km
2012	JEFFRIES	8,853	83 km
2024	SCHIFF	6,714	88 km
2021	HACKBERRY CA	6,367	34 km
1999	UNNAMED	6,239	91 km
2002	UNNAMED	5,258	88 km
1998	SUGARLOAF	4,075	83 km
2022	SMOKEY	3,961	53 km
2020	HUBBARDS GAP	3,435	49 km
2002	UNNAMED	3,275	79 km
1986	W BLUE CREEK	3,167	85 km
2021	BUFFALO CREEK	2,716	57 km
2021	VISTA TREND CA	2,669	81 km
2004	UNNAMED	2,486	79 km
2002	UNNAMED	2,261	60 km
2021	CROSS CA	2,247	70 km
2002	UNNAMED	2,134	56 km
2000	SNAKE CRK	1,912	87 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	0.4 in
February	31°F (-1°C)	0.3 in	Driest
March	37°F (3°C)	1.1 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.6 in
May	56°F (13°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
June	66°F (19°C)	3.0 in
July	74°F (23°C)	2.6 in	Warmest
August	71°F (21°C)	1.8 in
September	61°F (16°C)	1.3 in
October	49°F (9°C)	0.8 in
November	35°F (2°C)	0.5 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Potter has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 28°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.0") and February the driest (0.3").

View full profile of Potter, NE →