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Weather & Climate in Kaltag, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kaltag has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 28°F (-2°C). Winters average -4°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°F. The area gets 269 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 21.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). 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 181 feet.
Temperature
-4°F Jan (-20°C)
59°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 27.9°F |
| 48% below US avg | |
| January Average | -4°F (-20°C) |
| July Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 181 ft (55 m) |
| Area | 27.6 sq mi (71.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 6/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 64.3141°N, 158.7788°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Northwest Arctic Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 326 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 54.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 5.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | No Rating |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
60 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| May 17, 1999 | 15 km ENE of Kaltag, Alaska | M4.5 | 19 km | 10 km |
| Jul 6, 2006 | 36 km NNE of Koyuk, Alaska | M4.5 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Sep 13, 1998 | 26 km S of Nulato, Alaska | M4.2 | 39 km | 10 km |
| Sep 18, 2024 | 19 km WSW of Unalakleet, Alaska | M4.0 | 128 km | 11 km |
| Nov 21, 2000 | 26 km ENE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.9 | 29 km | 10 km |
| Feb 6, 2001 | 31 km W of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.8 | 29 km | 22 km |
| Aug 25, 2025 | 24 km N of Koyuk, Alaska | M3.6 | 144 km | 3 km |
| Jan 22, 1992 | 51 km NE of Unalakleet, Alaska | M3.5 | 67 km | -3 km |
| Oct 4, 2000 | 16 km ENE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.5 | 20 km | 9 km |
| Oct 22, 2003 | 99 km NNW of Koyukuk, Alaska | M3.5 | 146 km | 33 km |
| Feb 19, 2023 | 95 km SSE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.5 | 96 km | 12 km |
| Jun 8, 1993 | 55 km NNW of Takotna, Alaska | M3.4 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Apr 29, 2021 | 20 km ENE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.4 | 23 km | 14 km |
| Jun 23, 2020 | 48 km ENE of Shaktoolik, Alaska | M3.4 | 80 km | 7 km |
| Apr 7, 2022 | 49 km NNW of Koyukuk, Alaska | M3.3 | 108 km | 13 km |
| May 4, 2022 | 26 km W of Ruby, Alaska | M3.2 | 138 km | 16 km |
| Sep 13, 2000 | 6 km WNW of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.2 | 5 km | 24 km |
| Jul 2, 2002 | 27 km SSW of Galena, Alaska | M3.2 | 82 km | 20 km |
| Jan 20, 2004 | 37 km W of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.1 | 34 km | 9 km |
| Dec 31, 1990 | 89 km NW of Takotna, Alaska | M3.1 | 112 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: St. Michael (190 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| St. Michael | Shield(s) | 715 m (2,346 ft) | Unknown | 190 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
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 | 73 km |
| 2005 | PAPA WILLIE CREEK | 127,133 | 70 km |
| 2000 | YUKON CREEK | 68,820 | 39 km |
| 1988 | 832097 | 59,693 | 98 km |
| 2002 | GALATEA CREEK | 58,145 | 91 km |
| 2002 | KHOTOL RIVER | 58,025 | 55 km |
| 2005 | GISASA RIVER | 51,057 | 63 km |
| 2022 | MUD RIVER | 49,997 | 90 km |
| 2015 | OLD WOMAN | 46,474 | 50 km |
| 2015 | YUKON CREEK | 39,035 | 34 km |
| 1984 | WAPOO FIRE | 37,083 | 87 km |
| 2015 | NULATO | 35,728 | 63 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE MUD RIVER 1 | 33,500 | 57 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE MUD RIVER 2 | 33,080 | 73 km |
| 1988 | 831024 | 25,914 | 65 km |
| 2015 | ILLINOIS MINE | 21,968 | 52 km |
| 2005 | NULATO 3 | 14,707 | 57 km |
| 2013 | SHAKTOOLIK RIVER | 11,972 | 76 km |
| 2015 | CAMP CREEK | 11,801 | 62 km |
| 2013 | OLD WOMEN RIVER | 11,045 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -4°F (-20°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 6°F (-15°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 42°F (6°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 53°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| September | 44°F (7°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | -0°F (-18°C) | 0.8 in |
Kaltag has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from -4°F in January to 59°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.8") and May the driest (0.6").