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Weather & Climate in Hughes, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hughes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 26°F (-3°C). Winters average -11°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 71°F. 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 586 feet.
Temperature
-11°F Jan (-24°C)
60°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 26.4°F |
| 51% below US avg | |
| January Average | -11°F (-24°C) |
| July Average | 60°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 200 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 586 ft (179 m) |
| Area | 3.0 sq mi (7.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 11/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 66.0452°N, 154.2376°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 202 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 61.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 7.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
532 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.6.
| Feb 3, 2000 | northern Alaska | M5.6 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Mar 6, 2019 | 64 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M5.2 | 137 km | 9 km |
| Jan 6, 2019 | 61 km WNW of Tanana, Alaska | M5.1 | 83 km | 17 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | northern Alaska | M5.0 | 138 km | 9 km |
| Mar 18, 2020 | 67 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M5.0 | 138 km | 9 km |
| Nov 5, 1997 | 19 km ENE of Ruby, Alaska | M4.9 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Apr 8, 2019 | 64 km WNW of Tanana, Alaska | M4.8 | 83 km | 9 km |
| Feb 10, 2019 | 64 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.8 | 137 km | 8 km |
| Apr 16, 2019 | 65 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.8 | 138 km | 9 km |
| Apr 23, 2019 | 67 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.6 | 136 km | 7 km |
| Jul 2, 2019 | 68 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.5 | 135 km | 8 km |
| Apr 18, 1995 | 74 km E of Kobuk, Alaska | M4.5 | 93 km | 8 km |
| Jun 15, 2019 | 66 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.5 | 136 km | 6 km |
| Mar 12, 2019 | 68 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.5 | 136 km | 8 km |
| Jan 10, 2001 | 54 km SW of Hughes, Alaska | M4.4 | 55 km | 10 km |
| Oct 16, 1995 | 55 km NW of Rampart, Alaska | M4.4 | 144 km | 9 km |
| Aug 13, 1993 | 30 km ENE of Kobuk, Alaska | M4.4 | 135 km | 30 km |
| Mar 27, 2019 | 64 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.4 | 137 km | 9 km |
| May 9, 2019 | 66 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.4 | 138 km | 7 km |
| Oct 22, 1997 | 31 km NNW of Hughes, Alaska | M4.3 | 32 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: NORTH DAG (429,669 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | NORTH DAG | 429,669 | 93 km |
| 2015 | TOBATOKH | 220,212 | 51 km |
| 1990 | KUK 11 | 201,033 | 72 km |
| 2015 | ISAHULTILA | 192,796 | 18 km |
| 2015 | ROCK | 143,047 | 9 km |
| 2015 | SUSHGITIT HILLS | 118,333 | 59 km |
| 1999 | MELOZI MORAN | 59,011 | 64 km |
| 2016 | HOG | 57,621 | 68 km |
| 2016 | DULBI FLATS | 54,730 | 64 km |
| 2016 | HOGATZA RIVER | 51,144 | 88 km |
| 2022 | RADIO CREEK | 46,165 | 92 km |
| 2015 | HOLONADA | 45,340 | 93 km |
| 2019 | BERGMAN CREEK | 40,778 | 47 km |
| 1985 | GAL NE 57 | 33,126 | 87 km |
| 1999 | BIG CREEK | 31,606 | 88 km |
| 1990 | BTT SW 53 | 31,344 | 61 km |
| 2018 | LITTLE MELOZITNA RIVER | 27,949 | 73 km |
| 2005 | SIX MILE | 26,490 | 57 km |
| 2005 | HUGHES CREEK | 24,971 | 27 km |
| 2012 | HOGATZA RIVER | 23,739 | 62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -11°F (-24°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 6°F (-14°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 43°F (6°C) | 0.7 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 1.4 in | |
| July | 60°F (16°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| September | 43°F (6°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 5°F (-15°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | -3°F (-19°C) | 1.0 in |
Hughes has a seasonal temperature swing of 71°F / from -11°F in January to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.6").