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Weather & Climate in Elim, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elim has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 23°F (-5°C). Winters average -4°F in January while summers reach 54°F in July. 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 247 feet.
Temperature
-4°F Jan (-20°C)
54°F Jul (12°C)
| Annual Average | 23.2°F |
| 57% below US avg | |
| January Average | -4°F (-20°C) |
| July Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| Sunny Days | 200 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 247 ft (75 m) |
| Area | 2.4 sq mi (6.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 106/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 64.6182°N, 162.2766°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Nome Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 425 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | No Rating |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
195 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Jun 18, 2000 | 79 km NW of White Mountain, Alaska | M4.7 | 121 km | 25 km |
| Dec 15, 1997 | 17 km E of Golovin, Alaska | M4.5 | 20 km | 25 km |
| Jul 6, 2006 | 36 km NNE of Koyuk, Alaska | M4.5 | 97 km | 10 km |
| Apr 30, 2001 | 22 km SW of White Mountain, Alaska | M4.4 | 69 km | 10 km |
| Jul 14, 1997 | 46 km NNW of Solomon, Alaska | M4.4 | 122 km | 10 km |
| May 18, 1995 | 15 km N of Elim, Alaska | M4.3 | 15 km | 25 km |
| Jun 16, 2023 | 30 km SSW of White Mountain, Alaska | M4.3 | 68 km | 15 km |
| Jul 28, 2005 | 18 km SSW of White Mountain, Alaska | M4.3 | 64 km | 23 km |
| Apr 21, 1994 | 33 km NNW of Solomon, Alaska | M4.2 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Apr 19, 2024 | 48 km SW of Buckland, Alaska | M4.2 | 116 km | 9 km |
| Mar 4, 1990 | 9 km SW of Solomon, Alaska | M4.1 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Aug 13, 2002 | 40 km SSE of Solomon, Alaska | M4.1 | 91 km | 8 km |
| Jul 21, 1998 | northern Alaska | M4.0 | 29 km | 10 km |
| Aug 23, 1998 | 81 km SW of Deering, Alaska | M4.0 | 122 km | 21 km |
| Jul 31, 1993 | 10 km SSW of Elim, Alaska | M4.0 | 10 km | -3 km |
| Sep 18, 2024 | 19 km WSW of Unalakleet, Alaska | M4.0 | 104 km | 11 km |
| Jul 21, 2005 | 8 km SSW of White Mountain, Alaska | M3.9 | 58 km | 19 km |
| Jun 13, 2023 | 29 km WSW of Golovin, Alaska | M3.9 | 66 km | 22 km |
| Sep 24, 1993 | 41 km S of Solomon, Alaska | M3.9 | 115 km | 1 km |
| May 25, 1996 | 9 km SE of Golovin, Alaska | M3.9 | 32 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Imuruk Lake (114 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Imuruk Lake | Shield(s) | 610 m (2,001 ft) | 300 | 114 km |
| St. Michael | Shield(s) | 715 m (2,346 ft) | Unknown | 130 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KOYUK (23,101 acres, 2015).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2015 | KOYUK | 23,101 | 77 km |
| 2004 | OREGON CREEK | 8,289 | 75 km |
| 1997 | PEACE RIVER | 7,959 | 80 km |
| 2004 | CLIFF CREEK | 5,966 | 51 km |
| 2019 | SALMON CREEK | 2,986 | 60 km |
| 1984 | 414057 | 1,689 | 43 km |
| 2019 | KUZITRIN RIVER 9 | 1,609 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -4°F (-20°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 8°F (-13°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 35°F (2°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| June | 47°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 54°F (12°C) | 1.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 50°F (10°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 43°F (6°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 17°F (-8°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 8°F (-13°C) | 1.1 in |
Elim has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from -4°F in January to 54°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.2") and May the driest (0.6").