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Weather & Climate in Smithfield, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Smithfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 308 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 23.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 20.0 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 2,547 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,547 ft (776 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 676/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.5733°N, 99.7409°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Gosper County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kearney Regional (EAR) 40 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 9.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 37.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
70 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 | 149 km | 3 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.7 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Aug 19, 2015 | 13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska | M3.6 | 141 km | 15 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 144 km | 11 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 103 km | 6 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 127 km | 13 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2002 | 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska | M3.3 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Apr 19, 2018 | 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2018 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.1 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska | M3.1 | 52 km | 10 km |
| Jul 5, 2019 | Kansas | M3.1 | 147 km | 4 km |
| Feb 8, 2020 | 3 km W of Burr Oak, Kansas | M3.0 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Apr 17, 2003 | 4 km WNW of Zurich, Kansas | M3.0 | 148 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
554 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 71 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF4 | 95 km | 15.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1956 | EF4 | 70 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1953 | EF4 | 99 km | 15.0 mi | 11 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF3 | 45 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 93 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 39 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 75 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2007 | EF3 | 46 km | 15.7 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2000 | EF3 | 68 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 83 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 11 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 27 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 53 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1990 | EF3 | 78 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 63 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF3 | 66 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1978 | EF3 | 22 km | 22.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 52 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 66 km | 28.4 mi | 1 |
| Jun 18, 1975 | EF3 | 58 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BETTY'S WAY (68,425 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | BETTY'S WAY | 68,425 | 91 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 702 | 45,166 | 60 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 739 | 32,997 | 23 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 15,972 | 59 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,681 | 92 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,149 | 89 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 2,706 | 98 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,397 | 89 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 83 km |
| 2023 | NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON | 1,061 | 12 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,009 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 38°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in |
Smithfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 27°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.4").