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Weather & Climate in Kivalina, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kivalina has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 23°F (-5°C). Winters average -1°F in January while summers reach 51°F in July. The area gets 275 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 9.7 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 12 feet.
Temperature
-1°F Jan (-18°C)
51°F Jul (11°C)
| Annual Average | 22.7°F |
| 58% below US avg | |
| January Average | -1°F (-18°C) |
| July Average | 51°F (11°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 12 ft (4 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 499/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 67.7269°N, 164.5356°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Nome Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 504 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | No Rating |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
616 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Jun 7, 2014 | northern Alaska | M5.8 | 91 km | 19 km |
| Jun 16, 2014 | 29 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.7 | 94 km | 15 km |
| May 3, 2014 | 25 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.7 | 85 km | 26 km |
| Apr 18, 2014 | 22 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.7 | 83 km | 21 km |
| Apr 18, 2014 | 18 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.7 | 78 km | 27 km |
| Apr 13, 2008 | 54 km SSW of Point Hope, Alaska | M5.2 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 68 km S of Point Hope, Alaska | M5.1 | 106 km | 20 km |
| May 3, 2014 | 23 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.0 | 83 km | 30 km |
| Apr 19, 2014 | 23 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.0 | 87 km | 18 km |
| May 3, 2014 | 30 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.9 | 90 km | 26 km |
| May 3, 2014 | 25 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.9 | 87 km | 27 km |
| Jul 18, 2014 | 51 km E of Noatak, Alaska | M4.9 | 118 km | 14 km |
| Mar 12, 2025 | 74 km S of Point Hope, Alaska | M4.8 | 100 km | 15 km |
| Sep 16, 1993 | 35 km WSW of Red Dog Mine, Alaska | M4.8 | 43 km | 24 km |
| May 30, 2014 | 29 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.7 | 95 km | 15 km |
| Sep 16, 1996 | 84 km WSW of Kivalina, Alaska | M4.6 | 85 km | 10 km |
| May 5, 2014 | 24 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.6 | 82 km | 29 km |
| Apr 19, 2014 | 26 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.6 | 91 km | 10 km |
| Jun 7, 2014 | 30 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.5 | 92 km | 17 km |
| May 5, 2014 | 19 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.5 | 79 km | 22 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UVGOON CREEK 2 (87,928 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | UVGOON CREEK 2 | 87,928 | 91 km |
| 2018 | TUSIKPAK LAKE | 14,554 | 93 km |
| 2010 | ELI RIVER | 14,394 | 87 km |
| 2004 | UVGOON CREEK | 11,027 | 94 km |
| 1987 | 731015 | 7,461 | 38 km |
| 2021 | TUTAK CREEK | 5,975 | 40 km |
| 2010 | EVAINGIKNUK | 5,033 | 84 km |
| 1999 | KIVALINA RIVER | 3,547 | 43 km |
| 2015 | WULIK RIVER | 1,706 | 43 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1°F (-18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| February | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| March | -0°F (-18°C) | 0.4 in | |
| April | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.4 in | |
| May | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| June | 44°F (6°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 51°F (11°C) | 1.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 49°F (9°C) | 1.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 40°F (5°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 1°F (-17°C) | 0.6 in |
Kivalina has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from -2°F in February to 51°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 8.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.7") and May the driest (0.3").