Main Highlights
The average temperature in Nebraska in January 2025 was 21.9°F, which was -0.2°F below the 20th century average and 53rd coolest overall. The U.S. as a whole was colder than average in January (33rd coolest) and the first January since 2011 to be below the 20th century average. Much of the country was very dry as it was the 6th driest January on record in the U.S. This could be attributed to several rounds of polar vortex stretching, which brought colder temperatures deep into the U.S. at times. The highly amplified upper air pattern that existed for much of the month also kept moisture away from much of the country.
Average precipitation for Nebraska in January 2025 came in at 0.25 inches, which is 0.25 inches below the 20th century average and the 30th driest on record. Only a few areas (far southeast and around Valentine) were above average and for much of East Central Nebraska, it was a top 10 dry January. This includes the 4th driest January on record in Omaha (0.05") and the 10th driest on record in Lincoln (0.10").
Figure 1. January 2025 statewide precipitation ranks
Figure 2. January 2025 average temperature percentiles
Figure 3. January 2025 maximum temperature percentiles
Figure 4. January 2025 minimum temperature percentiles
Figure 5. January 2025 maximum temperature percentiles
Cold in western Nebraska
Temperatures in western Nebraska were colder than average while the rest of the state was generally near the long-term average. Much of eastern Nebraska had average high temperatures that were above the long-term average, partly due to a complete lack of snow cover. More on that in a little bit. Minimum temperatures were below the long-term average in western Nebraska and around average elsewhere. The coldest stretch of the month was between January 18th-21st when some areas in far northern Nebraska had high temperatures below 0°F. Temperatures in the Panhandle were coldest relative to average early in the month and then again during the 18th-21st. This marked a significant change from previous months when western Nebraska was not only the warmest in the state relative to average but in some cases was at or near-record warm.
Lack of snow
January 2025 was one of the least snowy on record in Nebraska and was a continuation of what has been a mostly snow-free winter to this point. Much of the state now has snowfall deficits of at least a foot and it is in the 18-24" range across much of East Central and North Central Nebraska. Only the far southeast part of Nebraska is running a mild surplus on snowfall, thanks to a foot of snow back on January 4th-5th. The lack of snow helped temperatures moderate quickly after cold spells, especially during the week of January 27th when everyone in the state saw a few days in the mid 50's to lower 60's.
Figure 6. Seasonal snowfall departures through February 11th
Drought changes
January was the second consecutive month with negligible precipitation across southwestern Nebraska and that led to a 1-category degradation on the U.S. Drought Monitor during the month. Significant precipitation fell over the far southeast corner late in the month and that led to a small area of a 1-category improvement in parts of Pawnee, Richardson, and Nemaha counties. Status quo was the rule for the remainder of the state.
Figure 7. One month change in the U.S. Drought Monitor
Temperature and Precipitation Extremes
The Mesonet summary (see related links) contains the absolute maximum and minimum temperatures, the average temperature, number of days with subfreezing high temperatures and subzero low temperatures, the number of growing degree days, the average soil temperature, and the average cattle comfort index.
Here are the temperature and precipitation extremes around the state:
Maximum high temperature: 64°F, Broken Bow on January 28th
Minimum high temperature: -4°F, Valentine on January 20th
Minimum low temperature: -22°F, Alliance on January 20th
Maximum low temperature: 36°F, Nebraska City on January 31st
Maximum precipitation: 2.96", Falls City 5.5 NE
Maximum snowfall: 13.3", Salem 5 SW
