Indianola has cold winters and warm summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 91°, a January night drops to 15°, and about 30 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Indianola at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Indianola’s climate
Read from where Indianola sits among Nebraska’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 159 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 2 and the first by October 9.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
30 inches of snow, 22 of rain and melt
July is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 69 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Indianola feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with Indianola’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
159 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 2 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 9.
About 30" a winter over 9 days with an inch or more, most in February. Snow covers the ground about 29 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 91°.
The nicest months are May and September. 0.0 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Indianola averaged 1.1° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+3.1°).
A smaller shift than in 60% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Indianola compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Nebraska.
Indianola 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 | 42° | 15° | 0.4" | 4.7" | 3 | 7 | 19° – 39° |
| February | 45° | 18° | 0.5" | 7.7" | 4 | 8 | 21° – 39° |
| March | 57° | 27° | 1.1" | 4.2" | 5 | 3 | 34° – 52° |
| April | 65° | 36° | 2.1" | 3.1" | 7 | 1 | 45° – 56° |
| May | 75° | 46° | 3.2" | 0.1" | 9 | 0 | 54° – 66° |
| June | 86° | 57° | 3.3" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 67° – 77° |
| July | 91° | 63° | 3.5" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 71° – 82° |
| August | 89° | 61° | 2.9" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 69° – 79° |
| September | 81° | 51° | 1.7" | 0 | 5 | 0 | 59° – 72° |
| October | 68° | 37° | 1.6" | 1.0" | 5 | 1 | 44° – 57° |
| November | 54° | 25° | 0.8" | 3.3" | 4 | 2 | 29° – 45° |
| December | 43° | 16° | 0.5" | 5.8" | 3 | 6 | 21° – 35° |
| Year | 66° | 38° | 21.6" | 29.9" | 69 | 29 |
Heating and cooling a home in Indianola
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. January swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 19° to 39°. June is the most reliable, staying within 11°.
Common questions about Indianola’s climate
What is the coldest month in Indianola?
January, with a typical high of 42° and a low of 15°.
What is the hottest month in Indianola?
July, with a typical high of 91° and a low of 63°. About 51 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Indianola get?
About 30 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Indianola?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 9, and the last spring frost by May 2.
What is the rainiest month in Indianola?
July, with 3.5 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 22 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Indianola.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Indianola itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Mc Cook, NE (10 mi) away. 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.