Arapahoe has cold winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 90°, a January night drops to 15°, and about 25 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Arapahoe at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Arapahoe’s climate
Read from where Arapahoe sits among Nebraska’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 157 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 1 and the first by October 7.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
25 inches of snow, 23 of rain and melt
July is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 74 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Arapahoe averaged 0.7° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+2.9°).
A smaller shift than in 87% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
What a year in Arapahoe feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with Arapahoe’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
157 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 1 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 7.
About 25" a winter over 9 days with an inch or more, most in February. Snow covers the ground about 31 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 86% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 51 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 90°.
The nicest months are May and September.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →How Arapahoe compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Nebraska.
Arapahoe weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 15° | 0.4" | 4.6" | 3 | 9 | 19° – 39° |
| February | 44° | 18° | 0.6" | 6.4" | 4 | 8 | 20° – 40° |
| March | 56° | 27° | 1.2" | 3.4" | 5 | 3 | 34° – 52° |
| April | 65° | 36° | 2.3" | 2.1" | 8 | 1 | 44° – 56° |
| May | 74° | 47° | 3.5" | 0.1" | 11 | 0 | 54° – 66° |
| June | 85° | 58° | 3.5" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 67° – 78° |
| July | 90° | 63° | 3.7" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 72° – 81° |
| August | 88° | 61° | 3.0" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 69° – 80° |
| September | 81° | 51° | 1.7" | 0 | 6 | 0 | 60° – 72° |
| October | 67° | 37° | 1.8" | 0.9" | 6 | 1 | 44° – 57° |
| November | 53° | 25° | 0.9" | 3.1" | 4 | 2 | 29° – 46° |
| December | 42° | 17° | 0.6" | 4.7" | 3 | 7 | 21° – 34° |
| Year | 65° | 38° | 23.2" | 25.3" | 74 | 31 |
Heating and cooling a home in Arapahoe
86% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 20° to 40°. July is the most reliable, staying within 10°.
Common questions about Arapahoe’s climate
What is the coldest month in Arapahoe?
January, with a typical high of 40° and a low of 15°.
What is the hottest month in Arapahoe?
July, with a typical high of 90° and a low of 63°. About 51 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Arapahoe get?
About 25 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Arapahoe?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 7, and the last spring frost by May 1.
What is the rainiest month in Arapahoe?
July, with 3.7 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 23 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Arapahoe.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Arapahoe itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Elwood 8 S, NE (12 mi, snow) and Edison, NE (6 mi, frost, heat and degree days). Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.