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Weather & Climate in Bethel, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bethel has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 31°F (-0°C). Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 56°F in July. The area gets 274 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 19.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 64.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 21 / among the cleanest air in the country. The city sits at an elevation of 44 feet.
Temperature
7°F Jan (-14°C)
56°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 31.4°F |
| 42% below US avg | |
| January Average | 7°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 56°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 44 ft (13 m) |
| Area | 45.1 sq mi (116.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 140/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 60.7939°N, 161.7961°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Bethel Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 396 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 44.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 100.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.4.
| Feb 23, 2013 | 19 km NNW of Eek, Alaska | M4.4 | 50 km | 10 km |
| Mar 6, 2014 | 13 km WSW of Aniak, Alaska | M3.9 | 137 km | 32 km |
| Mar 20, 1997 | Southern Alaska | M3.8 | 133 km | -3 km |
| Apr 4, 2004 | 17 km SSW of Aniak, Alaska | M3.8 | 135 km | 19 km |
| Apr 3, 2018 | 25 km SSE of Eek, Alaska | M3.6 | 89 km | 24 km |
| Jun 1, 2010 | 9 km SE of Tuluksak, Alaska | M3.5 | 57 km | 28 km |
| Aug 31, 2021 | 5 km S of Lower Kalskag, Alaska | M3.5 | 108 km | 13 km |
| Mar 11, 2013 | 18 km NNW of Eek, Alaska | M3.4 | 52 km | 23 km |
| Apr 22, 2009 | 3 km SE of Kalskag, Alaska | M3.4 | 115 km | 3 km |
| Mar 15, 2023 | 102 km SE of Akiak, Alaska | M3.2 | 124 km | 14 km |
| Sep 10, 2009 | 105 km S of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M2.9 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Jan 24, 2016 | 61 km S of Aniak, Alaska | M2.9 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Feb 25, 2015 | 103 km E of Eek, Alaska | M2.7 | 117 km | 3 km |
| Feb 9, 2016 | 116 km NNW of Aleknagik, Alaska | M2.7 | 138 km | 15 km |
| Jan 25, 2016 | 56 km S of Aniak, Alaska | M2.7 | 125 km | 1 km |
| Mar 23, 2016 | 53 km S of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M2.7 | 136 km | 18 km |
| May 4, 2017 | 108 km NW of Aleknagik, Alaska | M2.6 | 139 km | 1 km |
| Jan 25, 2016 | 62 km S of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M2.6 | 133 km | 20 km |
| Jun 17, 2019 | 18 km S of Willow Creek, Alaska | M2.6 | 94 km | 9 km |
| Jun 30, 2020 | 60 km S of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M2.5 | 143 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
2 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 2004 | EF0 | 94 km | — | 0 |
| Jun 14, 2004 | EF0 | 25 km | — | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KUKA CREEK 4 (70,232 acres, 2015).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2015 | KUKA CREEK 4 | 70,232 | 75 km |
| 2015 | FOG RIVER | 39,019 | 58 km |
| 2015 | BOGUS CREEK | 26,393 | 94 km |
| 2015 | KWETHLUK RIVER 2 | 23,912 | 33 km |
| 2015 | IZAVLKNEK RIVER | 23,341 | 93 km |
| 2015 | PUK PALIK LAKE | 15,890 | 83 km |
| 2022 | KWETHLUK | 10,593 | 55 km |
| 2016 | ISRATHORAK CREEK | 6,179 | 83 km |
| 2010 | HAWK RIVER | 5,712 | 57 km |
| 2016 | BOGUS CREEK | 4,527 | 98 km |
| 2019 | LITTLE KASIGLUK | 4,321 | 58 km |
| 2006 | TAKSLESLUK NORTH | 4,025 | 66 km |
| 2020 | IZAVIKNEK RIVER | 3,728 | 97 km |
| 2005 | OTTER CREEK | 3,111 | 81 km |
| 2007 | NOYUK | 3,003 | 89 km |
| 2022 | FORK CREEK | 2,725 | 96 km |
| 2007 | KUKA | 2,488 | 93 km |
| 2016 | AROPUK LAKE | 2,266 | 100 km |
| 2020 | ENGINEER LAKE 2 | 1,844 | 100 km |
| 2016 | GWEEK RIVER | 1,380 | 39 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°F (-14°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 8°F (-13°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 41°F (5°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 1.6 in | |
| July | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 47°F (8°C) | 2.3 in | |
| October | 32°F (0°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 9°F (-13°C) | 1.2 in |
Bethel has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 7°F in January to 56°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.6").