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Weather & Climate in Ketchikan, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ketchikan experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. The area gets 166 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 157.3 inches (wetter 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 515 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
60°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 47.3°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 60°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 166 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 515 ft (157 m) |
| Area | 4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,128/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 55.3571°N, 131.6746°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Ketchikan Gateway Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Ketchikan International (KTN) 1 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 1.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 28.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 68.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | No Rating |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Apr 29, 2013 | 60 km ENE of Thoms Place, Alaska | M4.3 | 116 km | 13 km |
| Nov 8, 2009 | 29 km S of Hydaburg, Alaska | M3.9 | 84 km | 15 km |
| May 8, 2003 | 87 km W of Prince Rupert, Canada | M3.5 | 127 km | 17 km |
| Apr 6, 2010 | 34 km SW of Craig, Alaska | M3.3 | 120 km | 18 km |
| Nov 2, 1997 | 12 km SSE of Kasaan, Alaska | M3.3 | 44 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 2009 | 34 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M3.2 | 80 km | 10 km |
| Jan 18, 2008 | 17 km E of Hyder, Alaska | M3.1 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Apr 12, 2019 | 22 km WNW of Hyder, Alaska | M3.0 | 108 km | 8 km |
| Jan 18, 2008 | 11 km N of Hyder, Alaska | M2.9 | 125 km | 16 km |
| Jun 9, 2007 | 85 km SSW of Metlakatla, Alaska | M2.8 | 106 km | 14 km |
| May 7, 2004 | 48 km ENE of Wrangell, Alaska | M2.8 | 142 km | 6 km |
| May 12, 2016 | 20 km NW of Hyder, Alaska | M2.8 | 119 km | 4 km |
| Sep 11, 2015 | 5 km SE of Hyder, Alaska | M2.8 | 123 km | 11 km |
| Nov 9, 2009 | 25 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M2.8 | 80 km | 15 km |
| Apr 12, 1992 | 56 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M2.7 | 82 km | 10 km |
| Nov 8, 2009 | 29 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M2.7 | 74 km | 4 km |
| Nov 8, 2009 | 35 km SE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M2.5 | 70 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Tlevak Strait-Suemez Is. (104 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Tlevak Strait-Suemez Is. | Volcanic field | 50 m (164 ft) | Unknown | 104 km |
| Iskut-Unuk River Cones | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,880 m (6,168 ft) | 1800 | 153 km |
| Hoodoo Mountain | Subglacial | 1,850 m (6,070 ft) | -7050 | 160 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 12.7 in | |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 11.1 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 10.1 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 9.7 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 8.0 in | |
| June | 53°F (12°C) | 6.6 in | |
| July | 60°F (16°C) | 6.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 57°F (14°C) | 8.8 in | |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 12.2 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 20.0 in | Wettest |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 15.2 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 14.1 in | Coldest |
Ketchikan has a seasonal temperature swing of 25°F / from 35°F in December to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 134.7 inches, with October being the wettest month (20.0") and July the driest (6.2").