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Weather & Climate in South Bend, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
South Bend experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°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 32.3 inches. The area receives 22.1 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 1,045 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 50.8°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,045 ft (319 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,100/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.0036°N, 96.2485°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Sarpy County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eppley Airfield (OMA) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 83.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 85.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 91 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
645 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 531 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF4 | 23 km | 31.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 72 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1976 | EF4 | 74 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 24 km | 8.0 mi | 3 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF4 | 75 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 93 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | EF4 | 89 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 1952 | EF4 | 37 km | 26.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1950 | EF4 | 93 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2024 | EF3 | 90 km | 33.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 41 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 63 km | 40.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 35 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 48 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 89 km | 14.2 mi | 4 |
| May 16, 1999 | EF3 | 74 km | 7.5 mi | 2 |
| May 16, 1999 | EF3 | 76 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 81 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 64 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1991 | EF3 | 99 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,195 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,195 | 85 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 629 | 55 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 65°F (19°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.9 in |
South Bend has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 23°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (0.8").