Weather & Climate in Shelton, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shelton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 21.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. 77% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 2,018 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.9°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,018 ft (615 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,410/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.7783°N, 98.7295°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Hall County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kearney Regional (EAR) 15 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 76.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 20.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| 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
98 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 | 100 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.7 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 125 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 99 km | 6 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 75 km | 10 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 124 km | 16 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 122 km | 15 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 147 km | 13 km |
| Jan 9, 2013 | 5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas | M3.3 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Apr 7, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.3 | 125 km | 13 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 6 km N of Jewell, Kansas | M3.2 | 127 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
766 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 27 fatalities, 418 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1964 | EF5 | 40 km | 79.7 mi | 4 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF4 | 83 km | 131.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 39 km | 1.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 40 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 15 km | 125.7 mi | 4 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 51 km | 78.9 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF4 | 75 km | 51.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1956 | EF4 | 38 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1953 | EF4 | 70 km | 15.0 mi | 11 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 48 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 60 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 91 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 53 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2001 | EF3 | 79 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2001 | EF3 | 75 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 99 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 37 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 64 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 81 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 61 km | 75.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTH BRANCH (10,926 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | NORTH BRANCH | 10,926 | 99 km |
| 2023 | NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON | 1,061 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.1 in | |
| November | 40°F (4°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in |
Shelton has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 26°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (0.6").