All Countries
Weather & Climate in Sterling, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sterling experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 24°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 32.3 inches. The area receives 22.4 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 1,202 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.3°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,202 ft (366 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,713/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.4612°N, 96.3775°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Johnson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lincoln (LNK) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very 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 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 2007 | 5 km N of Nortonville, Kansas | M3.1 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1995 | 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2014 | 5 km NW of Liberty, Nebraska | M2.9 | 41 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 1993 | 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska | M2.9 | 63 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
628 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 450 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF4 | 82 km | 31.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2004 | EF4 | 82 km | 54.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF4 | 73 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 83 km | 8.0 mi | 3 |
| Jun 22, 1964 | EF4 | 83 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1964 | EF4 | 100 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 5, 1954 | EF4 | 85 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 1952 | EF4 | 86 km | 26.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 97 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 98 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 48 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2019 | EF3 | 71 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2014 | EF3 | 62 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 94 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF3 | 91 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1993 | EF3 | 61 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 59 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF3 | 81 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 75 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 16 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,819 acres, 1996).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,819 | 88 km |
| 2023 | ROCK CREEK | 1,433 | 71 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,296 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.0 in |
Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 24°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.7").