Weather & Climate in Wood Lake, NE

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

Wood Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°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 23.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 35.8 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 2,688 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	50.2°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,688 ft (819 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density	56/sq mi
Coordinates	42.6383°N, 100.2371°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Brown County County
Nearest Airport	Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.8"

37% below US avg

Snowfall 35.8"

Wettest Month (May) 3.46"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	2.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	17.8 / 100
Community Resilience	34.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very 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

30 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	111 km	5 km
May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	136 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.7	144 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2021	10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.7	129 km	5 km
Aug 19, 2015	13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska	M3.6	95 km	15 km
Oct 18, 2012	28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.6	149 km	5 km
Jan 4, 2016	11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska	M3.5	144 km	6 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	58 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	23 km	5 km
Apr 19, 2018	9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	144 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	8 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2018	10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.3	145 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	43 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	146 km	9 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	124 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2021	9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.1	129 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	102 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2018	3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	138 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2018	8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska	M3.1	141 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	143 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

232 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 28 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 8, 1965	EF5	58 km	30.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 2011	EF3	9 km	0.5 mi	0
May 18, 1977	EF3	90 km	18.8 mi	0
May 8, 1965	EF3	95 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1962	EF3	79 km	0.1 mi	0
May 15, 1962	EF3	92 km	0.1 mi	0
May 14, 1962	EF3	37 km	53.8 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF2	46 km	4.6 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	87 km	2.9 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	43 km	9.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 24, 2009	EF2	74 km	4.6 mi	0
Jun 5, 2008	EF2	80 km	29.9 mi	0
Aug 9, 2002	EF2	100 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	66 km	19.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	75 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1993	EF2	87 km	5.0 mi	0
May 15, 1992	EF2	84 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 6, 1986	EF2	66 km	19.0 mi	0
Sep 7, 1979	EF2	80 km	1.0 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	77 km
2012	REGION 24 COMPLEX	66,349	22 km
2000	POWDER HORN	48,608	68 km
2012	LONGHORN COMPLEX	41,443	91 km
2022	BOVEE	18,875	74 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	93 km
2000	VAL COMP	15,513	38 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	63 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	90 km
1990	GOOSECREEK	8,408	28 km
2012	UNNAMED	7,980	67 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	65 km
2012	UNNAMED	6,910	56 km
2021	UNNAMED	6,693	90 km
2021	HACKBERRY SOUTH RX	6,463	36 km
2006	FOUR CORNERS	6,241	91 km
2000	PONY	5,982	27 km
2018	NEBRASKA RX	5,624	90 km
2022	LEACH CA	5,195	73 km
2019	UNNAMED	5,143	95 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.6 in
March	36°F (2°C)	1.3 in
April	47°F (8°C)	2.1 in
May	58°F (15°C)	3.5 in	Wettest
June	68°F (20°C)	3.2 in
July	75°F (24°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	2.4 in
September	62°F (17°C)	1.9 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.2 in
November	35°F (1°C)	0.8 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Wood Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.4").

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