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Weather & Climate in Denali Park, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Denali Park has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 28°F (-2°C). Winters average 2°F in January while summers reach 56°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 15.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 76.7 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 4,482 feet.
Temperature
2°F Jan (-17°C)
56°F Jul (13°C)
| Annual Average | 28.0°F |
| 48% below US avg | |
| January Average | 2°F (-17°C) |
| July Average | 56°F (13°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,482 ft (1,366 m) |
| Area | 176.3 sq mi (456.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 4/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 63.5730°N, 148.6737°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Matanuska-Susitna Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 89 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
6,770 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.9.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 2002 Denali Fault, Alaska Earthquake | M7.9 | 61 km | 4 km |
| Oct 23, 2002 | 53 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska | M6.6 | 38 km | 4 km |
| May 31, 2021 | 73 km N of Chickaloon, Alaska | M6.1 | 127 km | 44 km |
| Nov 29, 2000 | 52 km WSW of Ferry, Alaska | M5.8 | 77 km | 16 km |
| Dec 30, 1995 | 66 km ESE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.7 | 104 km | 137 km |
| Apr 8, 2021 | 28 km SE of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.5 | 42 km | 80 km |
| Sep 25, 2010 | 54 km NE of Chase, Alaska | M5.4 | 90 km | 84 km |
| Dec 28, 1990 | 49 km S of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.3 | 69 km | 74 km |
| Sep 1, 2000 | 71 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.3 | 102 km | 137 km |
| May 15, 2016 | 64 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.3 | 126 km | 132 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 4 km SW of Salcha, Alaska | M5.3 | 132 km | 11 km |
| Jan 23, 2011 | 42 km E of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.2 | 109 km | 16 km |
| Feb 6, 2022 | 72 km S of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.2 | 92 km | 62 km |
| Jan 31, 2017 | 64 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.2 | 126 km | 133 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 78 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M5.1 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 1991 | 49 km NE of Chase, Alaska | M5.1 | 95 km | 77 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 36 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.1 | 24 km | 6 km |
| Apr 16, 2014 | 50 km N of Chase, Alaska | M5.1 | 98 km | 83 km |
| Jul 5, 2002 | 77 km E of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.1 | 62 km | 0 km |
| Aug 27, 2013 | 67 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.0 | 105 km | 130 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
20 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 | 72 km |
| 2001 | FISH CREEK | 83,362 | 83 km |
| 2022 | CLEAR | 72,998 | 88 km |
| 2023 | CLEAR CREEK | 54,404 | 97 km |
| 2013 | TOKLAT RIVER EAST | 34,216 | 77 km |
| 2023 | ROCK CREEK | 33,852 | 84 km |
| 1990 | TEKLANIKA | 15,932 | 88 km |
| 2000 | CHITSIA | 9,766 | 98 km |
| 2012 | BEAR CREEK #4 | 9,644 | 73 km |
| 2023 | TEKLANIKA RIVER | 8,958 | 97 km |
| 2015 | KOBE | 8,623 | 86 km |
| 2023 | BIRCH CREEK | 6,659 | 79 km |
| 2019 | DRY CREEK | 6,560 | 94 km |
| 1990 | CHITSIA | 5,310 | 91 km |
| 2015 | FISH CREEK | 3,321 | 90 km |
| 2000 | CLEAR | 2,997 | 89 km |
| 2011 | CHITSIA MOUNTAIN | 2,674 | 80 km |
| 1987 | SLATE CREK | 2,429 | 48 km |
| 2005 | TOKLAT 2 | 2,181 | 98 km |
| 2010 | POPAVICH | 2,169 | 42 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°F (-17°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 6°F (-14°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| May | 39°F (4°C) | 0.7 in | |
| June | 50°F (10°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 50°F (10°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 5°F (-15°C) | 0.9 in |
Denali Park has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 2°F in January to 56°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.0") and April the driest (0.6").