Weather & Climate in Whitney, NE

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

Whitney experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 302 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 15.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 3,411 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	48.3°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-4°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,411 ft (1,040 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density	356/sq mi
Coordinates	42.7838°N, 103.2567°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Dawes County County
Nearest Airport	Western Nebraska Regional/William B Heilig Field (BFF) 65 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.2"

60% below US avg

Wettest Month (May) 2.76"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	5.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	11.4 / 100
Community Resilience	35.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

28 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	124 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	85 km	5 km
Apr 9, 1996	34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.7	76 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	139 km	5 km
Oct 18, 2012	28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.6	124 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	99 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	115 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	69 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	84 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	149 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	27 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	147 km	5 km
May 3, 1996	32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.1	69 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	121 km	10 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	81 km	5 km
Nov 2, 1992	5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming	M3.0	93 km	5 km
Jan 6, 2018	7 km SW of Guernsey, Wyoming	M3.0	142 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	85 km	8 km
Mar 10, 2011	22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming	M2.9	68 km	5 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	71 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

238 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 69 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 1994	EF3	48 km	12.0 mi	0
May 5, 1993	EF3	58 km	13.0 mi	0
Jul 20, 1978	EF3	92 km	53.2 mi	0
Jul 2, 2020	EF2	37 km	3.4 mi	0
Jun 12, 2017	EF2	95 km	25.6 mi	0
Jul 26, 2016	EF2	78 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 2012	EF2	59 km	16.7 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	58 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	44 km	15.0 mi	1
Aug 17, 1983	EF2	49 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 20, 1983	EF2	79 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 19, 1983	EF2	43 km	22.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1982	EF2	70 km	7.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1982	EF2	35 km	0.8 mi	0
May 23, 1982	EF2	54 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 10, 1980	EF2	78 km	11.3 mi	0
Jul 28, 1978	EF2	83 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1978	EF2	85 km	11.1 mi	0
Jul 28, 1976	EF2	26 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 25, 1975	EF2	88 km	16.2 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WELLNITZ (77,277 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	WELLNITZ	77,277	52 km
2012	WEST ASH	55,228	13 km
2017	LEGION LAKE	54,868	99 km
1989	FT.ROBINSON	46,887	29 km
2006	SIOUX COUNTY COMPLEX	39,567	46 km
2012	DOUTHIT	29,036	27 km
2006	DAWES COUNTY COMPLEX	27,923	19 km
2007	STAMPEDE	22,848	59 km
1985	FLINT HILLS	21,062	71 km
2016	SIMMONS	20,950	90 km
2016	FREEMAN	19,121	68 km
1985	4TH OFJULY	18,177	59 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	62 km
1996	UNNAMED	14,279	72 km
2016	INDIAN CANYON	13,791	67 km
2022	CASINO	11,583	48 km
2000	WARBONNET	11,504	54 km
1987	GRASS CK3	11,125	77 km
2001	WEST HELL CANYON	11,097	73 km
2007	ALABAUGH	10,650	69 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	29°F (-2°C)	0.4 in
March	37°F (3°C)	0.8 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.9 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
June	67°F (19°C)	2.8 in
July	75°F (24°C)	2.3 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	1.5 in
September	62°F (17°C)	1.3 in
October	49°F (10°C)	0.9 in
November	35°F (2°C)	0.4 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in

Whitney has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 26°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.8") and January the driest (0.4").

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