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Weather & Climate in Harding-Birch Lakes, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Harding-Birch Lakes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 27°F (-3°C). Winters average -9°F in January while summers reach 61°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 12.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 67.7 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 1,500 feet.
Temperature
-9°F Jan (-23°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 26.9°F |
| 50% below US avg | |
| January Average | -9°F (-23°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,500 ft (457 m) |
| Area | 231.2 sq mi (598.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 64.3813°N, 146.5306°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Fairbanks North Star Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 49 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
2,804 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.9.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 2002 Denali Fault, Alaska Earthquake | M7.9 | 106 km | 4 km |
| Oct 23, 2002 | 53 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska | M6.6 | 118 km | 4 km |
| Oct 6, 1995 | 36 km E of Minto, Alaska | M6.0 | 130 km | 9 km |
| Oct 22, 1996 | 31 km NNE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.7 | 129 km | 4 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 23 km N of Paxson, Alaska | M5.6 | 127 km | 1 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 23 km NNW of Paxson, Alaska | M5.6 | 128 km | 20 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 19 km NNE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.4 | 135 km | 1 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 36 km NE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.4 | 138 km | 1 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 4 km SW of Salcha, Alaska | M5.3 | 24 km | 11 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 32 km SW of Dry Creek, Alaska | M5.2 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 14 km E of Minto, Alaska | M5.2 | 147 km | 17 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 78 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M5.1 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 2002 | 77 km E of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.1 | 105 km | 0 km |
| Jan 24, 2003 | 31 km NE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.1 | 142 km | 1 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 36 km ENE of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.1 | 131 km | 6 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 57 km E of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.0 | 118 km | 0 km |
| Nov 5, 2002 | 28 km NE of Paxson, Alaska | M5.0 | 140 km | 11 km |
| Nov 5, 2002 | Central Alaska | M4.9 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 14 km N of Paxson, Alaska | M4.9 | 137 km | 1 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 27 km SW of Dry Creek, Alaska | M4.9 | 122 km | 5 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 | 100 km |
| 2004 | CAMP CREEK | 173,441 | 73 km |
| 2009 | WOOD RIVER 1 | 120,133 | 66 km |
| 2013 | STUART CREEK #2 | 87,981 | 43 km |
| 2002 | SPURS | 72,638 | 53 km |
| 2022 | 2022 OKLAHOMA AND STUART CREEK RX | 63,684 | 53 km |
| 1998 | CARLA LAKE | 62,508 | 42 km |
| 2013 | MISSISSIPPI | 59,188 | 46 km |
| 2023 | DELTA | 57,975 | 32 km |
| 2021 | MUNSON CREEK | 54,099 | 76 km |
| 2014 | 1 OKLAHOMA RANGE | 53,368 | 50 km |
| 2023 | POGO MINE ROAD | 51,225 | 32 km |
| 2003 | SAND CREEK | 49,787 | 67 km |
| 2012 | DRY CREEK | 49,047 | 44 km |
| 2011 | EAST VOLKMAR | 48,652 | 89 km |
| 1987 | GRANITE CREEK | 40,844 | 75 km |
| 2009 | OKLAHOMA 2 | 38,398 | 48 km |
| 2015 | BLAIR | 37,977 | 36 km |
| 2004 | TORS | 32,002 | 58 km |
| 2007 | LITTLE DELTA | 29,836 | 32 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 6°F (-15°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| April | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.3 in | |
| May | 44°F (7°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 in | |
| September | 43°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 5°F (-15°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | -3°F (-19°C) | 0.6 in |
Harding-Birch Lakes has a seasonal temperature swing of 70°F / from -9°F in January to 61°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.5") and March the driest (0.3").