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Weather & Climate in Steele City, NE

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Steele City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 77°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 32.4 inches. The area receives 20.7 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 1,299 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average51.6°F
4% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,299 ft (396 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density296/sq mi
Coordinates40.0366°N, 97.0230°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyJefferson County County
Nearest AirportLincoln (LNK)
61 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 32.4"
15% below US avg
Snowfall 20.7"
Wettest Month (May) 4.37"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.67"

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score24.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability35.2 / 100
Community Resilience43.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane No Rating
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

110 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 97 km 3 km
Jun 12, 2017 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas M3.7 99 km 5 km
Jun 12, 2017 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.7 103 km 5 km
Jun 13, 2017 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.6 102 km 5 km
May 6, 2021 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas M3.6 90 km 5 km
Dec 17, 2009 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska M3.6 107 km 5 km
Oct 10, 2024 6 km WSW of Woodbine, Kansas M3.5 140 km 10 km
Mar 12, 2020 6 km NNE of Hope, Kansas M3.5 144 km 5 km
May 15, 2025 5 km NNW of Herington, Kansas M3.5 147 km 5 km
Jul 16, 2004 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa M3.5 141 km 5 km
Aug 9, 2021 Kansas M3.5 122 km 5 km
May 21, 2017 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas M3.4 100 km 16 km
Sep 18, 2023 Nebraska M3.4 112 km 10 km
Jul 26, 2022 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska M3.4 97 km 5 km
Apr 4, 2017 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas M3.4 104 km 15 km
Jul 29, 2021 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas M3.3 120 km 5 km
Mar 24, 2020 8 km NNE of Hope, Kansas M3.3 142 km 5 km
Jan 9, 2013 5 km SE of Formoso, Kansas M3.3 86 km 5 km
Apr 6, 2023 6 km N of Bennington, Kansas M3.3 115 km 5 km
Apr 7, 2017 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas M3.3 100 km 13 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

678 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 223 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2004 EF4 41 km 54.0 mi 1
Jun 13, 2001 EF4 91 km 8.0 mi 0
May 20, 1957 EF4 95 km 44.6 mi 0
Apr 25, 1957 EF4 76 km 89.8 mi 1
Apr 30, 2024 EF3 88 km 2.2 mi 1
Apr 26, 2024 EF3 98 km 5.3 mi 0
May 21, 2019 EF3 94 km 5.9 mi 0
May 6, 2015 EF3 49 km 1.9 mi 0
Jun 3, 2014 EF3 84 km 6.3 mi 0
May 11, 2014 EF3 82 km 19.1 mi 0
May 28, 2013 EF3 87 km 4.4 mi 0
May 29, 2008 EF3 88 km 55.2 mi 0
Sep 22, 2001 EF3 92 km 10.0 mi 0
Jul 24, 1993 EF3 30 km 9.0 mi 0
Jun 15, 1992 EF3 56 km 21.0 mi 0
Jun 15, 1992 EF3 82 km 14.0 mi 0
Apr 26, 1991 EF3 82 km 14.0 mi 0
Apr 26, 1991 EF3 12 km 24.0 mi 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 51 km 13.0 mi 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 63 km 25.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RANGE 51 (13,760 acres, 2010).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2010 RANGE 51 13,760 99 km
2009 MA-KILO 8,935 90 km
2024 AXELTON-BURKLUND 8,831 67 km
2019 2019-3238A 8,632 97 km
2002 UNNAMED 7,758 88 km
2013 UNNAMED 7,465 98 km
2015 IMPACT 7,242 97 km
2022 CARLSON 6,101 68 km
1991 UNNAMED 5,159 95 km
2012 CALFEX COMPLEX 5,122 90 km
2012 UNNAMED 4,425 99 km
2014 SHANNON CREEK 3,954 68 km
2014 UNNAMED 3,595 94 km
2017 KILO 3,242 90 km
2024 AXELTON HILL ROAD 2,850 92 km
2012 UNNAMED 2,544 86 km
2014 UNNAMED 2,492 86 km
2002 UNNAMED 2,083 90 km
2015 UNNAMED 1,985 94 km
2012 UNNAMED 1,869 100 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 0.7 in Coldest, Driest
February 31°F (-1°C) 0.7 in
March 41°F (5°C) 2.3 in
April 52°F (11°C) 2.8 in
May 63°F (17°C) 4.4 in Wettest
June 73°F (23°C) 4.2 in
July 77°F (25°C) 3.8 in Warmest
August 76°F (24°C) 3.9 in
September 67°F (19°C) 3.4 in
October 55°F (13°C) 2.1 in
November 40°F (4°C) 1.5 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 0.9 in

Steele City has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 25°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.4") and January the driest (0.7").

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