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Weather & Climate in Preston, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Preston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 275 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 35.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 939 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.7°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 939 ft (286 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 400/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.0346°N, 95.5181°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Richardson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kansas City International (MCI) 67 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 13.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 60.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| 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.
| Dec 17, 2009 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | M3.6 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 71 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 6 km WSW of Kansas City, Kansas | M3.0 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 34 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
563 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 228 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 29, 1979 | EF4 | 59 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF4 | 74 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 75 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Aug 6, 1962 | EF4 | 61 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | EF4 | 59 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2024 | EF3 | 95 km | 33.9 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2019 | EF3 | 38 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 46 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 66 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2004 | EF3 | 82 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 98 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1984 | EF3 | 88 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 71 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1979 | EF3 | 78 km | 29.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1967 | EF3 | 97 km | 43.9 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1966 | EF3 | 99 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 1965 | EF3 | 76 km | 23.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF3 | 80 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1964 | EF3 | 78 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1964 | EF3 | 87 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OAKS (5,673 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | OAKS | 5,673 | 94 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,244 | 87 km |
| 2004 | KRAUSE | 3,012 | 91 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,819 | 99 km |
| 2021 | 4 DELTA 21 | 1,708 | 83 km |
| 2011 | 182 | 1,575 | 80 km |
| 2018 | FY 18 182 ROAD BROADCAST BURN | 1,009 | 78 km |
| 2020 | MOSQR-FY20-RX-WUI | 964 | 24 km |
| 2016 | SQR BM SL DESOTO 2016 WUI RX | 866 | 24 km |
| 1988 | NORTH POOL | 698 | 23 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 645 | 24 km |
| 2009 | UNIT 6 | 625 | 24 km |
| 2002 | SCRDGRS 6 | 536 | 23 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in |
Preston has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 24°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.8").