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Weather & Climate in Buffalo Soapstone, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Buffalo Soapstone has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 36°F (2°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. The area gets 200 sunny days per year. 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 829 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
57°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 35.6°F |
| 34% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 200 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 829 ft (253 m) |
| Area | 22.1 sq mi (57.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 36/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 61.6844°N, 149.1212°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Anchorage Municipality County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
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
7,499 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.3.
| May 1, 1991 | Central Alaska | M6.3 | 148 km | 115 km |
| May 31, 2021 | 73 km N of Chickaloon, Alaska | M6.1 | 96 km | 44 km |
| Jun 24, 2015 | 46 km SW of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.8 | 150 km | 114 km |
| Dec 4, 2012 | 20 km ENE of Beluga, Alaska | M5.8 | 101 km | 64 km |
| May 24, 1995 | 26 km SSW of Anchorage, Alaska | M5.5 | 92 km | 39 km |
| Apr 25, 1994 | 19 km NE of Nikiski, Alaska | M5.4 | 141 km | 49 km |
| Jun 22, 2009 | 36 km E of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.4 | 88 km | 65 km |
| Sep 25, 2010 | 54 km NE of Chase, Alaska | M5.4 | 132 km | 84 km |
| Dec 2, 1992 | 29 km WNW of Susitna, Alaska | M5.4 | 99 km | 67 km |
| Jul 4, 1996 | 33 km ESE of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.4 | 92 km | 54 km |
| Mar 8, 2000 | 33 km N of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.4 | 136 km | 98 km |
| Feb 27, 2021 | 5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.3 | 59 km | 46 km |
| Jul 22, 1999 | 13 km ESE of Eagle River, Alaska | M5.3 | 45 km | 39 km |
| Jul 28, 2011 | 8 km NE of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.3 | 121 km | 87 km |
| Dec 28, 1990 | 49 km S of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.3 | 142 km | 74 km |
| Feb 27, 2021 | 5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.3 | 59 km | 46 km |
| May 6, 1997 | 8 km NW of Knik-Fairview, Alaska | M5.3 | 34 km | 31 km |
| Apr 26, 1991 | 14 km WNW of Anchorage, Alaska | M5.2 | 73 km | 38 km |
| Feb 6, 2022 | 72 km S of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.2 | 120 km | 62 km |
| Sep 17, 2019 | 28 km NW of Susitna, Alaska | M5.2 | 93 km | 63 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 | 68 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami 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 | 129 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Spurr (172 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Spurr | Stratovolcano | 3,374 m (11,070 ft) | 1992 | 172 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SU RIVER (7,050 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | SU RIVER | 7,050 | 65 km |
| 2015 | SOCKEYE | 6,538 | 53 km |
| 2019 | MCKINLEY | 3,436 | 59 km |
| 2010 | EKLUTNA | 1,941 | 41 km |
| 2019 | DESHKA LANDING | 1,285 | 56 km |
| 2002 | THURSDAY CREEK | 1,046 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.2 in | |
| February | 17°F (-9°C) | 1.2 in | |
| March | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| May | 40°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| June | 49°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 50°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| September | 42°F (6°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| October | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.1 in | |
| November | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 15°F (-9°C) | 1.6 in | Coldest |
Buffalo Soapstone has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 15°F in December to 57°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.6 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.2") and April the driest (0.8").