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Weather & Climate in Fairbanks, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fairbanks has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 29°F (-2°C). Winters average -7°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 69°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 13.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 57.8 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 459 feet.
Temperature
-7°F Jan (-22°C)
62°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 28.5°F |
| 47% below US avg | |
| January Average | -7°F (-22°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (17°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 459 ft (140 m) |
| Area | 32.5 sq mi (84.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,014/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 64.8365°N, 147.6517°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Fairbanks North Star Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 6 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
1,954 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.9.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 2002 Denali Fault, Alaska Earthquake | M7.9 | 147 km | 4 km |
| Oct 23, 2002 | 53 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska | M6.6 | 148 km | 4 km |
| Oct 6, 1995 | 36 km E of Minto, Alaska | M6.0 | 57 km | 9 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 4 km SW of Salcha, Alaska | M5.3 | 51 km | 11 km |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 14 km E of Minto, Alaska | M5.2 | 74 km | 17 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 78 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M5.1 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 2002 | 77 km E of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.1 | 147 km | 0 km |
| Nov 1, 1992 | 30 km W of Ferry, Alaska | M5.0 | 135 km | 147 km |
| Jan 7, 1990 | 22 km NNE of Four Mile Road, Alaska | M4.9 | 58 km | 20 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 56 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska | M4.9 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jan 7, 1990 | 16 km SE of Minto, Alaska | M4.9 | 71 km | 20 km |
| Feb 26, 2013 | 13 km NW of Ferry, Alaska | M4.9 | 114 km | 139 km |
| Jul 23, 2021 | 11 km NW of Harding-Birch Lakes, Alaska | M4.8 | 61 km | 10 km |
| Nov 18, 1995 | 59 km SW of Harding-Birch Lakes, Alaska | M4.8 | 87 km | 105 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 78 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M4.7 | 140 km | 6 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 79 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M4.7 | 140 km | 3 km |
| Feb 17, 2007 | 41 km SW of Salcha, Alaska | M4.7 | 65 km | 14 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 76 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M4.7 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 2003 | 26 km SSE of Rampart, Alaska | M4.7 | 120 km | 16 km |
| Dec 29, 1993 | 10 km S of Salcha, Alaska | M4.6 | 58 km | 8 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 | 58 km |
| 2005 | BEAVER CREEK | 184,179 | 86 km |
| 2019 | HESS CREEK | 181,457 | 90 km |
| 2006 | PARKS HWY | 125,276 | 67 km |
| 2009 | WOOD RIVER 1 | 120,133 | 44 km |
| 2002 | MILEPOST 78 | 107,420 | 76 km |
| 2013 | STUART CREEK #2 | 87,981 | 45 km |
| 2009 | RAILBELT COMPLEX (REX CREEK) | 87,861 | 86 km |
| 2001 | FISH CREEK | 83,362 | 76 km |
| 2023 | DELTA | 57,975 | 100 km |
| 2021 | MUNSON CREEK | 54,099 | 85 km |
| 2012 | DRY CREEK | 49,047 | 34 km |
| 2015 | BLAIR | 37,977 | 69 km |
| 2022 | MINTO LAKES | 37,628 | 48 km |
| 2004 | TORS | 32,002 | 66 km |
| 2015 | AGGIE CREEK | 30,877 | 54 km |
| 2007 | LITTLE DELTA | 29,836 | 82 km |
| 2022 | TANANA RIVER | 25,597 | 93 km |
| 2011 | HASTINGS | 25,402 | 39 km |
| 2002 | WEST FORK CHENA | 22,384 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -7°F (-22°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 1°F (-17°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 11°F (-11°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 in | |
| July | 62°F (17°C) | 2.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 2.0 in | |
| September | 44°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.8 in |
Fairbanks has a seasonal temperature swing of 70°F / from -7°F in January to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.0") and April the driest (0.4").