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Weather & Climate in Chitina, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chitina has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 29°F (-2°C). Winters average -3°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 61°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 14.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.4 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 1,348 feet.
Temperature
-3°F Jan (-19°C)
58°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 29.1°F |
| 46% below US avg | |
| January Average | -3°F (-19°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,348 ft (411 m) |
| Area | 84.7 sq mi (219.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 61.5530°N, 144.1751°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Copper River Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 195 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 40.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 93.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 41.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,275 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Feb 13, 2017 | 20 km NE of Nabesna, Alaska | M5.3 | 130 km | 9 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 17 km ESE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M5.1 | 150 km | 13 km |
| Aug 25, 2004 | 48 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M5.1 | 119 km | 40 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 21 km N of Nabesna, Alaska | M5.0 | 129 km | 1 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 60 km SW of Alcan Border, Alaska | M5.0 | 145 km | 1 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 13 km SSE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M4.9 | 142 km | 3 km |
| Apr 6, 2005 | 37 km NNW of Valdez, Alaska | M4.8 | 125 km | 17 km |
| Nov 5, 2002 | Central Alaska | M4.8 | 126 km | 1 km |
| Sep 24, 2022 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 75 km | 41 km |
| Jul 27, 1995 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 132 km | 29 km |
| Nov 5, 2002 | 15 km SE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M4.8 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Feb 23, 2004 | 29 km E of Nabesna, Alaska | M4.8 | 125 km | 2 km |
| Oct 18, 1996 | 47 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M4.7 | 117 km | 40 km |
| May 2, 2000 | 34 km NNW of Valdez, Alaska | M4.6 | 133 km | 37 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 30 km NNW of Nabesna, Alaska | M4.6 | 132 km | 1 km |
| Sep 2, 1998 | 36 km WNW of Valdez, Alaska | M4.6 | 150 km | 25 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 17 km NNE of Nabesna, Alaska | M4.6 | 127 km | 1 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 33 km NNW of Nabesna, Alaska | M4.5 | 135 km | 1 km |
| Apr 29, 1998 | 32 km NNE of Chitina, Alaska | M4.5 | 26 km | 33 km |
| Feb 15, 2009 | 49 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M4.5 | 114 km | 37 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Wrangell (51 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Wrangell | Shield | 4,278 m (14,035 ft) | 1912 | 51 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHAKINA (56,374 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | CHAKINA | 56,374 | 65 km |
| 2016 | STEAMBOAT CREEK | 22,826 | 66 km |
| 2019 | CHETASLINA | 1,909 | 36 km |
| 2011 | GILAHINA | 1,244 | 38 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -3°F (-19°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 9°F (-13°C) | 2.0 in | |
| March | 17°F (-8°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 32°F (0°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| May | 44°F (7°C) | 1.6 in | |
| June | 53°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 58°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 44°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| October | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 11°F (-12°C) | 2.5 in | |
| December | 2°F (-17°C) | 2.6 in |
Chitina has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from -3°F in January to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.3 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.2") and April the driest (1.1").