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Weather & Climate in Cordova, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cordova has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. The area gets 166 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 148.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 99.2 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 35 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
57°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 42.6°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 166 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Area | 13.8 sq mi (35.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 39/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 60.5301°N, 145.6421°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Chugach Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 153 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 19.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very 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 | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,700 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.
| Mar 1, 2000 | 40 km S of Cordova, Alaska | M5.4 | 40 km | 10 km |
| Jun 6, 1995 | 48 km SW of Cordova, Alaska | M5.3 | 52 km | 15 km |
| Aug 27, 2014 | 147 km S of Cordova, Alaska | M5.1 | 145 km | 28 km |
| Jul 27, 1993 | 142 km SSE of Cordova, Alaska | M5.1 | 138 km | -3 km |
| Aug 25, 2004 | 48 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M5.1 | 125 km | 40 km |
| Feb 27, 2000 | 39 km SSW of Cordova, Alaska | M5.0 | 40 km | 18 km |
| Feb 25, 2002 | 42 km SW of Tatitlek, Alaska | M4.9 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2021 | 36 km SSW of Cordova, Alaska | M4.9 | 37 km | 2 km |
| May 2, 2016 | 136 km SSE of Cordova, Alaska | M4.9 | 132 km | 8 km |
| Mar 17, 2023 | 149 km SSE of Cordova, Alaska | M4.9 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Sep 24, 2022 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 107 km | 41 km |
| Aug 9, 2012 | 41 km NE of Chenega, Alaska | M4.8 | 106 km | 1 km |
| Jul 27, 1995 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 116 km | 29 km |
| Apr 6, 2005 | 37 km NNW of Valdez, Alaska | M4.8 | 113 km | 17 km |
| Jun 20, 2010 | 11 km SW of Tatitlek, Alaska | M4.8 | 70 km | 11 km |
| May 11, 2008 | 105 km SSE of Cordova, Alaska | M4.8 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2005 | 49 km NNE of Chenega, Alaska | M4.7 | 104 km | 23 km |
| Oct 18, 1996 | 47 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M4.7 | 127 km | 40 km |
| Jan 10, 1998 | 55 km S of Glacier View, Alaska | M4.7 | 141 km | 34 km |
| Mar 23, 2001 | 115 km SE of Chenega, Alaska | M4.7 | 135 km | 9 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 |
| Nov 4, 1959 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis 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 | 101 km |
| 1925 | GULF OF ALASKA, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.4 m | — | 62 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Wrangell (186 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Wrangell | Shield | 4,278 m (14,035 ft) | 1912 | 186 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 5.0 in | |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 4.9 in | |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 34°F (1°C) | 4.3 in | Driest |
| May | 42°F (6°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 49°F (10°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 53°F (12°C) | 6.9 in | |
| September | 46°F (8°C) | 9.6 in | Wettest |
| October | 36°F (2°C) | 9.2 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 6.0 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 6.9 in | Coldest |
Cordova has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 24°F in December to 57°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 71.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (9.6") and April the driest (4.3").