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Weather & Climate in Riverton, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Riverton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 75°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 33.3 inches. The area receives 20.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 967 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 967 ft (295 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 290/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.6869°N, 95.5686°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Fremont County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eppley Airfield (OMA) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 15.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 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 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 6 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 41 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
626 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 475 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 21, 2024 | EF4 | 59 km | 40.7 mi | 5 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF4 | 86 km | 31.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF4 | 59 km | 49.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1989 | EF4 | 79 km | 49.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1979 | EF4 | 42 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1976 | EF4 | 85 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 68 km | 8.0 mi | 3 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF4 | 10 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 29 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | EF4 | 22 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2024 | EF3 | 36 km | 33.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 70 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 71 km | 40.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 90 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 57 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2019 | EF3 | 90 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 89 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 1994 | EF3 | 98 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 71 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1988 | EF3 | 70 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,195 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,195 | 69 km |
| 2020 | MOSQR-FY20-RX-WUI | 964 | 69 km |
| 2016 | SQR BM SL DESOTO 2016 WUI RX | 866 | 70 km |
| 1988 | NORTH POOL | 698 | 69 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 645 | 71 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 629 | 84 km |
| 2009 | UNIT 6 | 625 | 72 km |
| 2002 | SCRDGRS 6 | 536 | 72 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 | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 2.3 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.1 in |
Riverton has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 23°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.7").