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Weather & Climate in Wilcox, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wilcox experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 308 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 25.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.6 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 2,234 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 51.7°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,234 ft (681 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 662/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.3644°N, 99.1693°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Phelps County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kearney Regional (EAR) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 58.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
143 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jun 22, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M4.6 | 130 km | 3 km |
| Jul 17, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.8 | 95 km | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 8 km NNE of Jewell, Kansas | M3.7 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2017 | 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.7 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2018 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.7 | 136 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2021 | 5 km S of Formoso, Kansas | M3.6 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2017 | 6 km SE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.6 | 111 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2019 | 2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska | M3.5 | 126 km | 6 km |
| Aug 9, 2021 | Kansas | M3.5 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 9 km S of Hill City, Kansas | M3.5 | 133 km | 11 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas | M3.5 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2017 | 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 107 km | 15 km |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas | M3.4 | 95 km | 13 km |
| May 21, 2017 | 7 km ESE of Mankato, Kansas | M3.4 | 111 km | 16 km |
| Sep 18, 2023 | Nebraska | M3.4 | 74 km | 10 km |
| Jul 26, 2022 | 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska | M3.4 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2021 | 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas | M3.3 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2018 | 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska | M3.3 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | Kansas | M3.3 | 97 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
681 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 15 fatalities, 360 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1964 | EF5 | 71 km | 79.7 mi | 4 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF4 | 65 km | 131.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF4 | 71 km | 56.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 96 km | 1.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 7, 1978 | EF4 | 95 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF4 | 74 km | 125.7 mi | 4 |
| Jun 6, 1956 | EF4 | 68 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2019 | EF3 | 97 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2014 | EF3 | 90 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2013 | EF3 | 78 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 68 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 49 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 2011 | EF3 | 87 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2007 | EF3 | 99 km | 15.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF3 | 80 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 43 km | 60.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 46 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1993 | EF3 | 48 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 62 km | 75.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 82 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROAD 702 (45,166 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | ROAD 702 | 45,166 | 90 km |
| 2022 | ROAD 739 | 32,997 | 61 km |
| 2022 | NORTH BRANCH | 10,926 | 87 km |
| 2010 | H-RX-F KIR NON NFP | 1,435 | 78 km |
| 2022 | KIRWIN SOUTHEAST RX | 1,367 | 81 km |
| 2020 | PRAIRIE DOG | 1,257 | 88 km |
| 2016 | KSKIR RX WUI FY16 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BURNS | 1,123 | 77 km |
| 2011 | W-RX-F NON FUNDED TREATMENT_KSKIR | 1,083 | 77 km |
| 2023 | NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON | 1,061 | 44 km |
| 2008 | H RX F BOTTOMS | 1,009 | 82 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,009 | 51 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in |
Wilcox has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 27°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.2") and January the driest (0.4").