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Weather & Climate in Anchorage, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Anchorage has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 26°F (-3°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 47°F in July. The area gets 166 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 74.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 398.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 24 / among the cleanest air in the country. 81% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 4,075 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-8°C)
47°F Jul (9°C)
| Annual Average | 25.8°F |
| 52% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 47°F (9°C) |
| Sunny Days | 166 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,075 ft (1,242 m) |
| Area | 1,944.1 sq mi (5,035.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 169/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 61.1743°N, 149.2843°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Anchorage Municipality County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 24.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 81.2% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 11.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 34.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6,943 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Dec 4, 2012 | 20 km ENE of Beluga, Alaska | M5.8 | 80 km | 64 km |
| May 24, 1995 | 26 km SSW of Anchorage, Alaska | M5.5 | 49 km | 39 km |
| Jun 22, 2009 | 36 km E of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.4 | 114 km | 65 km |
| Dec 2, 1992 | 29 km WNW of Susitna, Alaska | M5.4 | 107 km | 67 km |
| Jul 4, 1996 | 33 km ESE of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.4 | 111 km | 54 km |
| Apr 25, 1994 | 19 km NE of Nikiski, Alaska | M5.4 | 102 km | 49 km |
| Jul 22, 1999 | 13 km ESE of Eagle River, Alaska | M5.3 | 13 km | 39 km |
| Feb 27, 2021 | 5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.3 | 38 km | 46 km |
| May 6, 1997 | 8 km NW of Knik-Fairview, Alaska | M5.3 | 49 km | 31 km |
| Jul 28, 2011 | 8 km NE of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.3 | 144 km | 87 km |
| Feb 27, 2021 | 5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.3 | 38 km | 46 km |
| Dec 7, 1991 | 19 km E of Point Possession, Alaska | M5.2 | 61 km | 59 km |
| Apr 26, 1991 | 14 km WNW of Anchorage, Alaska | M5.2 | 47 km | 38 km |
| Sep 17, 2019 | 28 km NW of Susitna, Alaska | M5.2 | 105 km | 63 km |
| May 30, 2017 | 32 km WNW of Nikiski, Alaska | M5.2 | 142 km | 81 km |
| Jun 16, 2011 | 14 km NE of Nikiski, Alaska | M5.1 | 107 km | 59 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 9 km ESE of Eureka Roadhouse, Alaska | M5.1 | 146 km | 50 km |
| Feb 6, 2002 | 7 km SSW of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska | M5.1 | 23 km | 38 km |
| May 18, 1993 | 16 km WNW of Hope, Alaska | M5.1 | 40 km | 44 km |
| Aug 19, 2009 | 15 km NE of Beluga, Alaska | M5.1 | 85 km | 66 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
1 tornado (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2024 | EF0 | 21 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 51.8 m (170 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1964 | PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 51.8 m | 139 | 109 km |
| 2024 | PEDERSEN LAGOON, AK | Meteorological | 17.0 m | — | 144 km |
| 2022 | RESURRECTION BAY, AK | Meteorological | 0.1 m | — | 121 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Spurr (159 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Spurr | Stratovolcano | 3,374 m (11,070 ft) | 1992 | 159 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SWAN LAKE (164,801 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | SWAN LAKE | 164,801 | 82 km |
| 1991 | POTHOLE | 8,769 | 94 km |
| 2007 | SU RIVER | 7,050 | 99 km |
| 2015 | SOCKEYE | 6,538 | 82 km |
| 2019 | MCKINLEY | 3,436 | 99 km |
| 2001 | KENAI LAKE | 3,319 | 85 km |
| 1987 | SKILAK 2 | 2,365 | 98 km |
| 2010 | EKLUTNA | 1,941 | 23 km |
| 2014 | TYONEK | 1,668 | 99 km |
| 2019 | DESHKA LANDING | 1,285 | 74 km |
| 2017 | EAST FORK | 1,104 | 91 km |
| 2005 | IRISH CHANNEL | 1,067 | 98 km |
| 2002 | THURSDAY CREEK | 1,046 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-8°C) | 1.9 in | |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 in | |
| March | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| May | 38°F (3°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 47°F (8°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 47°F (9°C) | 2.7 in | |
| August | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| September | 41°F (5°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| October | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 19°F (-7°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 17°F (-9°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest |
Anchorage has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 17°F in December to 49°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 27.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.0") and April the driest (1.3").