All Countries
Weather & Climate in Kaktovik, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kaktovik has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 12°F (-11°C). Winters average -15°F in January while summers reach 48°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°F. The area gets 328 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 4.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.5 inches of snow annually. 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 53 feet.
Temperature
-15°F Jan (-26°C)
48°F Jul (9°C)
| Annual Average | 12.2°F |
| 77% below US avg | |
| January Average | -15°F (-26°C) |
| July Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| Sunny Days | 328 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 53 ft (16 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 199/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 70.1215°N, 143.6294°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 383 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Earthquake History
613 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Jul 3, 2019 | 115 km NNE of Arctic Village, Alaska | M5.3 | 119 km | 14 km |
| Apr 28, 2007 | 71 km SW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.9 | 70 km | 10 km |
| Dec 4, 1993 | 83 km SE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M4.9 | 134 km | 1 km |
| Jan 14, 2019 | 78 km SW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.9 | 77 km | 6 km |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 108 km SSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.8 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Apr 20, 2007 | 57 km SW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.7 | 57 km | 6 km |
| Jul 3, 2019 | 115 km NNE of Arctic Village, Alaska | M4.6 | 119 km | 13 km |
| Feb 20, 2006 | 98 km WSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.6 | 97 km | 10 km |
| Mar 12, 2006 | 115 km SW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.6 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Apr 10, 2007 | 69 km SSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.6 | 68 km | 20 km |
| Jan 9, 2019 | 114 km NNE of Arctic Village, Alaska | M4.5 | 120 km | 15 km |
| Mar 11, 2008 | 99 km SE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M4.4 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Apr 20, 2007 | 66 km SSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.4 | 65 km | 10 km |
| Jul 17, 1994 | 61 km SE of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.3 | 61 km | 20 km |
| Jul 17, 2013 | 111 km SSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.3 | 110 km | 13 km |
| Jun 24, 2012 | 70 km SSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.3 | 69 km | 10 km |
| Mar 13, 2019 | 75 km SSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.3 | 74 km | 13 km |
| Mar 15, 2022 | 71 km SSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.3 | 70 km | 17 km |
| Jan 15, 2019 | 74 km SSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.2 | 73 km | 8 km |
| Sep 5, 2013 | 111 km SSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.2 | 110 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -15°F (-26°C) | 0.3 in | |
| February | -19°F (-28°C) | 0.1 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | -15°F (-26°C) | 0.2 in | |
| April | 2°F (-17°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 40°F (5°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 48°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 45°F (7°C) | 0.8 in | |
| September | 35°F (1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.5 in | |
| November | -3°F (-19°C) | 0.3 in | |
| December | -11°F (-24°C) | 0.2 in |
Kaktovik has a seasonal temperature swing of 67°F / from -19°F in February to 48°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 4.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (0.9") and February the driest (0.1").