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Weather & Climate in Big Delta, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Big Delta has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 26°F (-3°C). Winters average -7°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 65°F. 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 12.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.8 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 1,020 feet.
Temperature
-7°F Jan (-21°C)
58°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 25.9°F |
| 52% below US avg | |
| January Average | -7°F (-21°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,020 ft (311 m) |
| Area | 53.3 sq mi (138.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 14/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 64.1570°N, 145.7409°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Fairbanks North Star Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 78 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,664 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.9.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 2002 Denali Fault, Alaska Earthquake | M7.9 | 110 km | 4 km |
| Oct 23, 2002 | 53 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska | M6.6 | 128 km | 4 km |
| Oct 22, 1996 | 31 km NNE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.7 | 92 km | 4 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 23 km NNW of Paxson, Alaska | M5.6 | 96 km | 20 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 23 km N of Paxson, Alaska | M5.6 | 95 km | 1 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 45 km WNW of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M5.4 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 19 km NNE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.4 | 101 km | 1 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 36 km NE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.4 | 99 km | 1 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 4 km SW of Salcha, Alaska | M5.3 | 70 km | 11 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 41 km ENE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.2 | 119 km | 1 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 32 km SW of Dry Creek, Alaska | M5.2 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 2002 | 77 km E of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.1 | 109 km | 0 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 78 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M5.1 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 44 km ENE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.1 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 36 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.1 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Jan 24, 2003 | 31 km NE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.1 | 103 km | 1 km |
| Nov 5, 2002 | 28 km NE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.0 | 103 km | 11 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 57 km E of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.0 | 126 km | 0 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 27 km SW of Dry Creek, Alaska | M4.9 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 14 km N of Paxson, Alaska | M4.9 | 104 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CAMP CREEK (173,441 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | CAMP CREEK | 173,441 | 55 km |
| 2013 | STUART CREEK #2 | 87,981 | 81 km |
| 2002 | SPURS | 72,638 | 41 km |
| 2022 | 2022 OKLAHOMA AND STUART CREEK RX | 63,684 | 40 km |
| 1998 | CARLA LAKE | 62,508 | 20 km |
| 2013 | MISSISSIPPI | 59,188 | 22 km |
| 2023 | DELTA | 57,975 | 37 km |
| 2021 | MUNSON CREEK | 54,099 | 95 km |
| 2014 | 1 OKLAHOMA RANGE | 53,368 | 37 km |
| 2023 | POGO MINE ROAD | 51,225 | 19 km |
| 2003 | SAND CREEK | 49,787 | 33 km |
| 2012 | DRY CREEK | 49,047 | 89 km |
| 2011 | EAST VOLKMAR | 48,652 | 48 km |
| 1987 | GRANITE CREEK | 40,844 | 34 km |
| 2009 | OKLAHOMA 2 | 38,398 | 38 km |
| 2015 | BLAIR | 37,977 | 71 km |
| 2004 | TORS | 32,002 | 85 km |
| 2007 | LITTLE DELTA | 29,836 | 59 km |
| 2019 | OREGON LAKES | 23,924 | 28 km |
| 1990 | MILITARY 7 | 23,797 | 37 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -7°F (-21°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 2°F (-17°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| April | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 2.0 in | |
| September | 44°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | |
| November | 5°F (-15°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 in |
Big Delta has a seasonal temperature swing of 65°F / from -7°F in January to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.5") and March the driest (0.2").