All Countries
Weather & Climate in Seneca, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Seneca experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 291 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 24.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 41.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 2,969 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.5°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,969 ft (905 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 93/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.0439°N, 100.8321°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Hooker County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 57 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 0.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 72.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| May 25, 2003 | 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota | M4.0 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.7 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Aug 19, 2015 | 13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska | M3.6 | 56 km | 15 km |
| Oct 18, 2012 | 28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska | M3.6 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 129 km | 6 km |
| Aug 26, 1991 | 15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.4 | 28 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2015 | 15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska | M3.3 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 1994 | 8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska | M3.3 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2016 | 11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.2 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska | M3.1 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Feb 20, 1993 | 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska | M3.1 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Sep 30, 1990 | 29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska | M3.0 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2025 | 4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.0 | 29 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2006 | 6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska | M2.9 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2010 | 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska | M2.7 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M2.6 | 96 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
208 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF4 | 92 km | 15.2 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1961 | EF4 | 93 km | 48.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 2024 | EF3 | 59 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2011 | EF3 | 77 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1989 | EF3 | 97 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1977 | EF3 | 81 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1977 | EF3 | 53 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1972 | EF3 | 95 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1961 | EF3 | 93 km | 48.1 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1961 | EF3 | 93 km | 48.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2024 | EF2 | 85 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2016 | EF2 | 83 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2012 | EF2 | 97 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1999 | EF2 | 28 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1999 | EF2 | 19 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1986 | EF2 | 52 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1981 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1977 | EF2 | 61 km | 19.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1975 | EF2 | 99 km | 20.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (77,236 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 77,236 | 5 km |
| 2024 | BETTY'S WAY | 68,425 | 100 km |
| 2000 | POWDER HORN | 48,608 | 69 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 27,237 | 77 km |
| 2022 | BOVEE | 18,875 | 41 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 17,990 | 91 km |
| 2000 | VAL COMP | 15,513 | 51 km |
| 1990 | GOOSECREEK | 8,408 | 55 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 7,980 | 16 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 7,793 | 97 km |
| 2023 | MCCANN | 7,110 | 91 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 6,693 | 40 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,681 | 99 km |
| 2011 | HARVEST CA | 6,526 | 73 km |
| 2021 | HACKBERRY SOUTH RX | 6,463 | 57 km |
| 2006 | FOUR CORNERS | 6,241 | 43 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 6,014 | 48 km |
| 2000 | PONY | 5,982 | 56 km |
| 2018 | NEBRASKA RX | 5,624 | 43 km |
| 2022 | LEACH CA | 5,195 | 56 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
Seneca has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 26°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.4").