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Weather & Climate in Holy Cross, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Holy Cross has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 31°F (-0°C). Winters average 7°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 19.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 64.0 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 266 feet.
Temperature
7°F Jan (-14°C)
56°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 31.4°F |
| 42% below US avg | |
| January Average | 7°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 56°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 266 ft (81 m) |
| Area | 37.2 sq mi (96.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 8/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 62.1851°N, 159.8588°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Bethel Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 330 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 44.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 100.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
46 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| May 27, 2005 | 51 km SE of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M4.6 | 124 km | 20 km |
| May 27, 2005 | 71 km SE of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M4.3 | 142 km | 20 km |
| Jan 26, 1991 | 35 km SSW of Holy Cross, Alaska | M4.1 | 33 km | 10 km |
| Mar 6, 2014 | 13 km WSW of Aniak, Alaska | M3.9 | 71 km | 32 km |
| Dec 22, 2012 | 67 km SSE of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M3.9 | 143 km | 27 km |
| Jun 9, 2005 | 53 km SE of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M3.9 | 126 km | 26 km |
| Apr 22, 2024 | 37 km ESE of Holy Cross, Alaska | M3.9 | 41 km | 13 km |
| Jun 8, 2005 | 53 km SE of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M3.8 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Apr 4, 2004 | 17 km SSW of Aniak, Alaska | M3.8 | 83 km | 19 km |
| Jun 9, 2005 | 53 km SE of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M3.8 | 126 km | 10 km |
| Mar 20, 1997 | Southern Alaska | M3.8 | 145 km | -3 km |
| May 26, 2005 | 67 km SE of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M3.7 | 137 km | 1 km |
| Sep 29, 2016 | 45 km ENE of Holy Cross, Alaska | M3.7 | 50 km | 32 km |
| Feb 9, 1992 | 70 km SW of Sleetmute, Alaska | M3.6 | 146 km | 17 km |
| Aug 31, 2021 | 5 km S of Lower Kalskag, Alaska | M3.5 | 84 km | 13 km |
| Jun 1, 2010 | 9 km SE of Tuluksak, Alaska | M3.5 | 138 km | 28 km |
| Jan 19, 2002 | 20 km ESE of Crooked Creek, Alaska | M3.4 | 118 km | 20 km |
| Feb 20, 1995 | 15 km NW of Red Devil, Alaska | M3.4 | 126 km | 33 km |
| Apr 22, 2009 | 3 km SE of Kalskag, Alaska | M3.4 | 77 km | 3 km |
| Jun 11, 2005 | 55 km SE of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M3.4 | 126 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: St. Michael (182 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| St. Michael | Shield(s) | 715 m (2,346 ft) | Unknown | 182 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: REINDEER (225,783 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | REINDEER | 225,783 | 40 km |
| 2005 | SADDLE | 133,070 | 46 km |
| 2005 | TALBIKSOK | 82,041 | 78 km |
| 2019 | SMITH CREEK | 72,002 | 85 km |
| 2015 | WHITEFISH LAKE 1 | 70,979 | 96 km |
| 2015 | NORTH ANIAK | 57,410 | 61 km |
| 2006 | NAGEETHLUK RIVER | 56,332 | 93 km |
| 2005 | YETNA | 51,550 | 94 km |
| 2015 | LOWER REINDEER PEAK | 47,611 | 85 km |
| 2015 | STUYAHOK RIVER | 45,239 | 47 km |
| 2005 | GRAYLING CREEK | 44,650 | 83 km |
| 2015 | OWHAT RIVER | 40,921 | 43 km |
| 2015 | OPHIR CREEK | 31,489 | 98 km |
| 1989 | SWINGING DOME | 28,882 | 84 km |
| 1991 | CROSS | 20,614 | 38 km |
| 2016 | KUYUKUTUK RIVER | 20,099 | 74 km |
| 2009 | FRANKLIN CREEK | 18,279 | 100 km |
| 2017 | LITTLE YETNA RIVER | 17,846 | 75 km |
| 2015 | VILLAGE CREEK | 16,711 | 95 km |
| 2015 | HAWK RIVER | 15,566 | 61 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°F (-14°C) | 1.0 in | |
| February | 5°F (-15°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| May | 43°F (6°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 1.4 in | |
| July | 56°F (14°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 53°F (12°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 46°F (8°C) | 2.7 in | |
| October | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 14°F (-10°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 4°F (-16°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
Holy Cross has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 4°F in December to 56°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.5") and April the driest (0.8").