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Weather & Climate in College, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
College has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 29°F (-2°C). Winters average -5°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 66°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 13.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 64.3 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 475 feet.
Temperature
-5°F Jan (-20°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 28.5°F |
| 47% below US avg | |
| January Average | -5°F (-20°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 475 ft (145 m) |
| Area | 19.2 sq mi (49.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 625/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 64.8673°N, 147.8195°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Fairbanks North Star Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 4 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
1,624 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.
| Oct 6, 1995 | 36 km E of Minto, Alaska | M6.0 | 49 km | 9 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 4 km SW of Salcha, Alaska | M5.3 | 58 km | 11 km |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 14 km E of Minto, Alaska | M5.2 | 66 km | 17 km |
| Nov 1, 1992 | 30 km W of Ferry, Alaska | M5.0 | 131 km | 147 km |
| Jan 7, 1990 | 22 km NNE of Four Mile Road, Alaska | M4.9 | 51 km | 20 km |
| Jan 7, 1990 | 16 km SE of Minto, Alaska | M4.9 | 63 km | 20 km |
| Feb 26, 2013 | 13 km NW of Ferry, Alaska | M4.9 | 111 km | 139 km |
| Nov 18, 1995 | 59 km SW of Harding-Birch Lakes, Alaska | M4.8 | 91 km | 105 km |
| Jul 23, 2021 | 11 km NW of Harding-Birch Lakes, Alaska | M4.8 | 69 km | 10 km |
| Feb 17, 2007 | 41 km SW of Salcha, Alaska | M4.7 | 70 km | 14 km |
| Apr 2, 2003 | 26 km SSE of Rampart, Alaska | M4.7 | 112 km | 16 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 79 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M4.7 | 144 km | 3 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 78 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M4.7 | 144 km | 6 km |
| Mar 25, 2001 | Central Alaska | M4.6 | 73 km | 22 km |
| Dec 29, 1993 | 10 km S of Salcha, Alaska | M4.6 | 66 km | 8 km |
| Jan 19, 2018 | 7 km SE of Ferry, Alaska | M4.6 | 114 km | 129 km |
| Sep 19, 2022 | 15 km NNW of Four Mile Road, Alaska | M4.5 | 69 km | 19 km |
| Jan 12, 1990 | 29 km SE of Minto, Alaska | M4.5 | 53 km | 19 km |
| Aug 25, 1995 | 26 km SSW of Ester, Alaska | M4.5 | 34 km | 14 km |
| Jul 9, 2005 | 21 km W of Ferry, Alaska | M4.5 | 125 km | 141 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BOUNDARY (538,167 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | BOUNDARY | 538,167 | 60 km |
| 2009 | RAILBELT COMPLEX (MINTO FLATS SOUTH) | 523,527 | 94 km |
| 2005 | BEAVER CREEK | 184,179 | 83 km |
| 2019 | HESS CREEK | 181,457 | 85 km |
| 2006 | PARKS HWY | 125,276 | 63 km |
| 2009 | WOOD RIVER 1 | 120,133 | 46 km |
| 2003 | ERICKSON CREEK | 119,668 | 99 km |
| 2002 | MILEPOST 78 | 107,420 | 67 km |
| 2013 | STUART CREEK #2 | 87,981 | 54 km |
| 2009 | RAILBELT COMPLEX (REX CREEK) | 87,861 | 85 km |
| 2001 | FISH CREEK | 83,362 | 73 km |
| 2021 | MUNSON CREEK | 54,099 | 92 km |
| 2012 | DRY CREEK | 49,047 | 40 km |
| 2004 | MUD FORK 2 | 44,582 | 92 km |
| 2015 | BLAIR | 37,977 | 75 km |
| 2022 | MINTO LAKES | 37,628 | 40 km |
| 2004 | TORS | 32,002 | 73 km |
| 2015 | AGGIE CREEK | 30,877 | 47 km |
| 2007 | LITTLE DELTA | 29,836 | 89 km |
| 2022 | TANANA RIVER | 25,597 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -5°F (-20°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 0°F (-18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.4 in | |
| April | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 1.6 in | |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 44°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 4°F (-16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | -3°F (-19°C) | 0.8 in |
College has a seasonal temperature swing of 66°F / from -5°F in January to 61°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (1.9") and April the driest (0.3").