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Weather & Climate in Cantwell, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cantwell has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 27°F (-3°C). Winters average 1°F in January while summers reach 55°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 16.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). 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 3,823 feet.
Temperature
1°F Jan (-17°C)
55°F Jul (13°C)
| Annual Average | 27.2°F |
| 50% below US avg | |
| January Average | 1°F (-17°C) |
| July Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,823 ft (1,165 m) |
| Area | 117.6 sq mi (304.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 63.4114°N, 148.7496°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Matanuska-Susitna Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 101 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 17.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 3.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7,135 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.9.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 2002 Denali Fault, Alaska Earthquake | M7.9 | 65 km | 4 km |
| Oct 23, 2002 | 53 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska | M6.6 | 43 km | 4 km |
| May 31, 2021 | 73 km N of Chickaloon, Alaska | M6.1 | 110 km | 44 km |
| Nov 29, 2000 | 52 km WSW of Ferry, Alaska | M5.8 | 82 km | 16 km |
| Dec 30, 1995 | 66 km ESE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.7 | 95 km | 137 km |
| Apr 8, 2021 | 28 km SE of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.5 | 25 km | 80 km |
| Sep 25, 2010 | 54 km NE of Chase, Alaska | M5.4 | 73 km | 84 km |
| May 15, 2016 | 64 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.3 | 116 km | 132 km |
| Sep 1, 2000 | 71 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.3 | 92 km | 137 km |
| Dec 28, 1990 | 49 km S of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.3 | 51 km | 74 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 4 km SW of Salcha, Alaska | M5.3 | 148 km | 11 km |
| Feb 6, 2022 | 72 km S of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.2 | 74 km | 62 km |
| Jan 23, 2011 | 42 km E of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.2 | 106 km | 16 km |
| Jan 31, 2017 | 64 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.2 | 116 km | 133 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 78 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M5.1 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 36 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.1 | 26 km | 6 km |
| Apr 16, 2014 | 50 km N of Chase, Alaska | M5.1 | 82 km | 83 km |
| Jul 5, 2002 | 77 km E of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.1 | 67 km | 0 km |
| Mar 21, 1991 | 49 km NE of Chase, Alaska | M5.1 | 78 km | 77 km |
| Aug 27, 2013 | 67 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.0 | 95 km | 130 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RAILBELT COMPLEX (REX CREEK) (87,861 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | RAILBELT COMPLEX (REX CREEK) | 87,861 | 90 km |
| 2013 | TOKLAT RIVER EAST | 34,216 | 81 km |
| 2023 | ROCK CREEK | 33,852 | 96 km |
| 2012 | BEAR CREEK #4 | 9,644 | 87 km |
| 2023 | BIRCH CREEK | 6,659 | 93 km |
| 1990 | CHITSIA | 5,310 | 100 km |
| 2011 | CHITSIA MOUNTAIN | 2,674 | 86 km |
| 1987 | SLATE CREK | 2,429 | 62 km |
| 2010 | POPAVICH | 2,169 | 59 km |
| 2011 | FRANCIS CREEK | 2,063 | 59 km |
| 1991 | BIG REX | 1,607 | 100 km |
| 2023 | BEAR CREEK | 1,459 | 83 km |
| 2003 | REX BRIDGE | 1,401 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1°F (-17°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 6°F (-14°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 11°F (-11°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| May | 39°F (4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 50°F (10°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 55°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 50°F (10°C) | 2.5 in | |
| September | 39°F (4°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 22°F (-5°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 9°F (-13°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 6°F (-15°C) | 0.9 in |
Cantwell has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 1°F in January to 55°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.0") and April the driest (0.7").