Weather & Climate in Valentine, NE

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

Valentine experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 291 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 20.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 28.7 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 2,581 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	49.0°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-4°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,581 ft (787 m)
Area	2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
Population Density	997/sq mi
Coordinates	42.8755°N, 100.5471°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Todd County County
Nearest Airport	Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 35 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.8"

45% below US avg

Snowfall 28.7"

Wettest Month (Jul) 3.27"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	36.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	97.7 / 100
Community Resilience	0.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

21 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 3, 2002	16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska	M4.3	135 km	5 km
May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	104 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2021	10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.7	148 km	5 km
Aug 19, 2015	13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska	M3.6	124 km	15 km
Oct 18, 2012	28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.6	137 km	5 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	79 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	43 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	16 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	118 km	9 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	64 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	88 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	75 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2021	9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.1	149 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	70 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	144 km	5 km
Sep 30, 1990	29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.0	142 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2006	6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska	M2.9	92 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2010	9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska	M2.7	61 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2024	11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska	M2.6	99 km	11 km
Aug 6, 2012	21 km WNW of Mullen, Nebraska	M2.5	107 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

236 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 22 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 8, 1965	EF5	69 km	30.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 2011	EF3	44 km	0.5 mi	0
May 18, 1977	EF3	81 km	18.8 mi	0
Jun 15, 1962	EF3	47 km	0.1 mi	0
May 15, 1962	EF3	100 km	0.1 mi	0
May 14, 1962	EF3	51 km	53.8 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF2	20 km	4.6 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	78 km	2.9 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	52 km	9.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	18 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 2003	EF2	92 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	95 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	89 km	19.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1993	EF2	78 km	5.0 mi	0
Aug 6, 1986	EF2	96 km	19.0 mi	0
Sep 7, 1979	EF2	43 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 1979	EF2	72 km	11.1 mi	0
Jul 10, 1977	EF2	86 km	15.9 mi	0
Jul 19, 1975	EF2	35 km	20.9 mi	0
Jul 2, 1974	EF2	42 km	18.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (77,236 acres, 1999).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1999	UNNAMED	77,236	90 km
2012	REGION 24 COMPLEX	66,349	38 km
2000	POWDER HORN	48,608	50 km
2012	LONGHORN COMPLEX	41,443	55 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	56 km
2000	VAL COMP	15,513	45 km
2024	POWER DAM ROAD	15,047	92 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	27 km
2011	OKREEK	11,115	79 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	54 km
1990	GOOSECREEK	8,408	48 km
2012	UNNAMED	7,980	80 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	35 km
2012	UNNAMED	6,910	80 km
2021	HACKBERRY SOUTH RX	6,463	38 km
2000	PONY	5,982	46 km
2000	UNNAMED	5,014	37 km
1998	TNC	4,683	27 km
1991	YELLOWROBE	4,679	59 km
2012	TOWER	4,599	84 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-4°C)	0.3 in	Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.5 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.1 in
April	46°F (8°C)	2.0 in
May	58°F (14°C)	3.2 in
June	68°F (20°C)	3.1 in
July	76°F (24°C)	3.3 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	72°F (22°C)	2.1 in
September	62°F (17°C)	1.7 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.2 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in
December	24°F (-4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Valentine has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 24°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.3").

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