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Weather & Climate in Circle, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Circle has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 23°F (-5°C). Winters average -16°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 77°F. 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 599 feet.
Temperature
-16°F Jan (-27°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 23.0°F |
| 57% below US avg | |
| January Average | -16°F (-27°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 200 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 599 ft (183 m) |
| Area | 106.0 sq mi (274.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 0/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 65.8386°N, 144.1753°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Fairbanks North Star Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 128 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
400 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.
| Feb 5, 2006 | 61 km SE of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M5.4 | 84 km | 9 km |
| Feb 5, 2006 | 64 km SE of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M5.1 | 90 km | 2 km |
| Jun 11, 2023 | 14 km E of Central, Alaska | M4.8 | 33 km | 15 km |
| Dec 5, 2009 | 58 km ENE of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M4.5 | 133 km | 12 km |
| May 17, 2008 | 79 km ESE of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M4.5 | 121 km | 20 km |
| May 5, 1997 | 69 km ESE of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M4.4 | 98 km | 23 km |
| Jan 30, 1998 | 32 km S of Circle, Alaska | M4.3 | 35 km | 10 km |
| Feb 1, 2013 | 16 km ESE of Central, Alaska | M4.3 | 38 km | 14 km |
| Jul 29, 2002 | 45 km S of Beaver, Alaska | M4.3 | 143 km | 13 km |
| Jun 10, 2007 | 76 km SE of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M4.3 | 97 km | 16 km |
| Feb 18, 2006 | 76 km SE of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M4.3 | 98 km | 16 km |
| Feb 19, 2010 | 81 km SE of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M4.2 | 100 km | 15 km |
| Jun 14, 2025 | 44 km WNW of Central, Alaska | M4.2 | 68 km | 14 km |
| Mar 29, 2006 | 74 km SE of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M4.2 | 94 km | 18 km |
| Mar 25, 1992 | 27 km ESE of Beaver, Alaska | M4.2 | 129 km | 2 km |
| Feb 21, 2006 | 77 km SE of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M4.1 | 96 km | 12 km |
| Mar 3, 2003 | 55 km E of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M4.1 | 113 km | 10 km |
| Aug 1, 2015 | 112 km ESE of Chalkyitsik, Alaska | M4.0 | 124 km | 14 km |
| Feb 25, 2016 | 22 km SE of Circle, Alaska | M4.0 | 27 km | 13 km |
| Mar 20, 2006 | 86 km NNW of Eagle, Alaska | M4.0 | 102 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHALKYITSIK COMPLEX (470,507 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | CHALKYITSIK COMPLEX | 470,507 | 95 km |
| 2009 | CRAZY MOUNTAIN COMPLEX (LITTLE BLACK ONE) | 346,582 | 45 km |
| 1988 | 832604 | 294,208 | 75 km |
| 2004 | EDWARDS CREEK | 286,203 | 57 km |
| 2004 | CENTRAL COMPLEX (WOLF CREEK) | 228,337 | 94 km |
| 1993 | 332557 | 214,280 | 28 km |
| 2004 | PREACHER CREEK | 212,441 | 43 km |
| 2004 | BOLGEN CREEK | 202,572 | 42 km |
| 1990 | 032042 | 123,334 | 24 km |
| 2004 | LOWER MOUTH | 86,397 | 96 km |
| 1991 | 132460 | 83,354 | 79 km |
| 1985 | 531047 | 79,003 | 60 km |
| 2019 | LITTLE CRAZY MOUNTAIN | 78,294 | 92 km |
| 2005 | PREACHER CREEK | 69,376 | 65 km |
| 1993 | 3322292 | 60,782 | 64 km |
| 2004 | GRAYLING FORK | 51,593 | 89 km |
| 2009 | CRAZY MOUNTAIN COMPLEX (JAGGED RIDGE) | 50,271 | 38 km |
| 2004 | CRAZY | 49,649 | 40 km |
| 1996 | BIG CREEK | 49,373 | 63 km |
| 2017 | BEAR MOUNTAIN | 48,086 | 65 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -16°F (-27°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | -14°F (-25°C) | 0.3 in | |
| March | -0°F (-18°C) | 0.3 in | |
| April | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| May | 44°F (7°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 1.0 in | |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 1.3 in | |
| September | 42°F (5°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | -4°F (-20°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | -13°F (-25°C) | 0.4 in |
Circle has a seasonal temperature swing of 77°F / from -16°F in January to 61°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 7.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (1.3") and April the driest (0.2").