Shell Creek has cold winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 86°, a January night drops to 14°, and about 26 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Shell Creek at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Shell Creek’s climate
Read from where Shell Creek sits among Nebraska’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Shell Creek averaged 1.3° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+3.0°).
A bigger shift than in 59% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
Living with Shell Creek’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
174 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 21 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 15.
About 26" a winter over 9 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 39 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 85% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 32 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 86°.
The nicest months are May, June, August and September. 1.9 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 →What a year in Shell Creek feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
26 inches of snow, 28 of rain and melt
May is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 89 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 174 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 21 and the first by October 15.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Shell Creek and its neighbors
Grand Prairie has the coldest January nights next door (13°) and Lost Creek the hottest July afternoons (86°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
How Shell Creek compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Nebraska.
Shell Creek 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 | 33° | 14° | 0.6" | 6.6" | 5 | 14 | 17° – 37° |
| February | 38° | 17° | 0.7" | 6.0" | 5 | 11 | 16° – 36° |
| March | 50° | 28° | 1.5" | 3.8" | 7 | 4 | 31° – 54° |
| April | 62° | 38° | 2.9" | 1.1" | 9 | 0 | 42° – 55° |
| May | 73° | 49° | 4.5" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 55° – 67° |
| June | 83° | 60° | 4.5" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 67° – 76° |
| July | 86° | 64° | 3.3" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 68° – 81° |
| August | 84° | 62° | 3.5" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 68° – 77° |
| September | 77° | 53° | 2.5" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 59° – 71° |
| October | 64° | 40° | 2.3" | 0.7" | 7 | 0 | 44° – 56° |
| November | 49° | 27° | 1.2" | 1.8" | 5 | 2 | 29° – 48° |
| December | 36° | 17° | 0.9" | 5.6" | 6 | 8 | 16° – 32° |
| Year | 61° | 39° | 28.2" | 25.6" | 89 | 39 |
Heating and cooling a home in Shell Creek
85% 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. March swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 31° to 54°. August is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Shell Creek’s climate
What is the coldest month in Shell Creek?
January, with a typical high of 33° and a low of 14°.
What is the hottest month in Shell Creek?
July, with a typical high of 86° and a low of 64°. About 32 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Shell Creek get?
About 26 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Shell Creek?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 15, and the last spring frost by April 21.
What is the rainiest month in Shell Creek?
May, with 4.5 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 28 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Shell Creek.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Shell Creek itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Columbus 3 Ne, NE (7 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.