Wood River has cold winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 87°, a January night drops to 14°, and about 29 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Wood River at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What a year in Wood River feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
29 inches of snow, 27 of rain and melt
May is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 94 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 171 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 25 and the first by October 14.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Wood River’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
171 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 25 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 14.
About 29" a winter over 9 days with an inch or more, most in February. Snow covers the ground about 37 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 86% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 32 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 87°.
The nicest months are May, June and September.
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 Wood River averaged 0.9° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in March (+2.8°).
A smaller shift than in 76% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Wood River compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Nebraska.
Wood River 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 | 36° | 14° | 0.6" | 6.5" | 5 | 12 | 17° – 38° |
| February | 40° | 18° | 0.7" | 7.5" | 6 | 10 | 18° – 38° |
| March | 52° | 27° | 1.4" | 3.8" | 7 | 3 | 31° – 53° |
| April | 62° | 37° | 2.7" | 1.7" | 10 | 1 | 42° – 55° |
| May | 72° | 48° | 4.5" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 54° – 65° |
| June | 83° | 59° | 4.1" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 66° – 76° |
| July | 87° | 64° | 3.6" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 69° – 81° |
| August | 85° | 62° | 3.3" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 68° – 77° |
| September | 78° | 52° | 2.1" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 59° – 71° |
| October | 65° | 39° | 2.1" | 1.2" | 7 | 0 | 44° – 57° |
| November | 51° | 26° | 1.2" | 2.3" | 5 | 3 | 29° – 46° |
| December | 38° | 17° | 0.8" | 5.6" | 5 | 9 | 17° – 33° |
| Year | 62° | 39° | 27.0" | 28.6" | 94 | 37 |
Heating and cooling a home in Wood River
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. March swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 31° to 53°. August is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Wood River’s climate
What is the coldest month in Wood River?
January, with a typical high of 36° and a low of 14°.
What is the hottest month in Wood River?
July, with a typical high of 87° and a low of 64°. About 32 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Wood River get?
About 29 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Wood River?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 14, and the last spring frost by April 25.
What is the rainiest month in Wood River?
May, with 4.5 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 27 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Wood River.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Wood River itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Hastings 4n, NE (17 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.