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Weather & Climate in Galena, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Galena has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 26°F (-3°C). Winters average -10°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 70°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 13.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 77.2 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 149 feet.
Temperature
-10°F Jan (-23°C)
60°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 26.0°F |
| 52% below US avg | |
| January Average | -10°F (-23°C) |
| July Average | 60°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 149 ft (45 m) |
| Area | 17.8 sq mi (46.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 32/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 64.7414°N, 156.8734°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 265 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Earthquake History
107 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.6.
| Feb 3, 2000 | northern Alaska | M5.6 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Nov 5, 1997 | 19 km ENE of Ruby, Alaska | M4.9 | 84 km | 10 km |
| May 17, 1999 | 15 km ENE of Kaltag, Alaska | M4.5 | 84 km | 10 km |
| Jan 10, 2001 | 54 km SW of Hughes, Alaska | M4.4 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Oct 5, 2002 | 95 km N of McGrath, Alaska | M4.4 | 127 km | 6 km |
| Sep 13, 1998 | 26 km S of Nulato, Alaska | M4.2 | 64 km | 10 km |
| Sep 3, 1994 | 46 km SW of Hughes, Alaska | M4.1 | 144 km | 19 km |
| Nov 21, 2000 | 26 km ENE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.9 | 73 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 54 km SW of Hughes, Alaska | M3.9 | 135 km | 13 km |
| Feb 6, 2001 | 31 km W of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.8 | 128 km | 22 km |
| Jun 9, 1992 | 40 km SW of Hughes, Alaska | M3.8 | 150 km | 10 km |
| Mar 4, 1996 | 21 km ENE of Huslia, Alaska | M3.7 | 120 km | 15 km |
| May 26, 2023 | 31 km ENE of Huslia, Alaska | M3.6 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Jan 3, 1996 | 51 km E of Ruby, Alaska | M3.6 | 117 km | 20 km |
| Oct 4, 2000 | 16 km ENE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.5 | 83 km | 9 km |
| Nov 30, 1994 | 23 km E of Ruby, Alaska | M3.5 | 89 km | 25 km |
| Dec 26, 1999 | 56 km SW of Hughes, Alaska | M3.5 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Feb 19, 2023 | 95 km SSE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.5 | 142 km | 12 km |
| Oct 22, 2003 | 99 km NNW of Koyukuk, Alaska | M3.5 | 135 km | 33 km |
| Aug 28, 2019 | 10 km NNE of Ruby, Alaska | M3.4 | 69 km | 16 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BONANZA CREEK (241,856 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | BONANZA CREEK | 241,856 | 30 km |
| 2005 | HOLTNATKATNA CREEK | 204,488 | 34 km |
| 2015 | HOLTNAKATNA | 180,266 | 82 km |
| 2005 | CAMP CREEK | 94,290 | 78 km |
| 2015 | DULBI RIVER | 84,988 | 57 km |
| 2022 | CAMP CREEK | 81,840 | 82 km |
| 2005 | EAST FORK YUKI RIVER | 79,220 | 61 km |
| 2002 | LONG CREEK | 73,270 | 92 km |
| 2000 | YUKON CREEK | 68,820 | 77 km |
| 1990 | GAL N 38 | 61,375 | 73 km |
| 2002 | GALATEA CREEK | 58,145 | 98 km |
| 2005 | GISASA RIVER | 51,057 | 88 km |
| 2022 | MUD RIVER | 49,997 | 74 km |
| 2018 | DULBY HOT SPRINGS | 43,493 | 88 km |
| 2007 | COFFEE CAN LAKE | 41,717 | 66 km |
| 2015 | YUKON CREEK | 39,035 | 76 km |
| 2015 | NULATO | 35,728 | 63 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE MUD RIVER 2 | 33,080 | 77 km |
| 1988 | 831024 | 25,914 | 90 km |
| 2004 | LOUIS LAKE | 24,323 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -10°F (-23°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | -4°F (-20°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 7°F (-14°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | |
| May | 44°F (7°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 60°F (16°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 45°F (7°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 26°F (-4°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 6°F (-14°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.8 in |
Galena has a seasonal temperature swing of 70°F / from -10°F in January to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and May the driest (0.4").