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Weather & Climate in Kotzebue, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kotzebue has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 24°F (-4°C). Winters average -2°F in January while summers reach 55°F in July. The area gets 274 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 11.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 64.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. 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 79 feet.
Temperature
-2°F Jan (-19°C)
55°F Jul (13°C)
| Annual Average | 24.0°F |
| 56% below US avg | |
| January Average | -2°F (-19°C) |
| July Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 79 ft (24 m) |
| Area | 24.4 sq mi (63.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 125/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 66.8771°N, 162.5035°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Northwest Arctic Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 437 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
582 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Jun 7, 2014 | northern Alaska | M5.8 | 94 km | 19 km |
| Jun 16, 2014 | 29 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.7 | 88 km | 15 km |
| May 3, 2014 | 25 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.7 | 94 km | 26 km |
| Apr 18, 2014 | 22 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.7 | 92 km | 21 km |
| Apr 18, 2014 | 18 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.7 | 92 km | 27 km |
| May 3, 2014 | 23 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.0 | 93 km | 30 km |
| Apr 19, 2014 | 23 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M5.0 | 89 km | 18 km |
| May 3, 2014 | 25 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.9 | 91 km | 27 km |
| May 3, 2014 | 30 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.9 | 96 km | 26 km |
| Jul 18, 2014 | 51 km E of Noatak, Alaska | M4.9 | 86 km | 14 km |
| Sep 16, 1993 | 35 km WSW of Red Dog Mine, Alaska | M4.8 | 120 km | 24 km |
| May 30, 2014 | 29 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.7 | 86 km | 15 km |
| Apr 19, 2014 | 26 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.6 | 87 km | 10 km |
| May 5, 2014 | 24 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.6 | 96 km | 29 km |
| Jun 7, 2014 | 30 km ENE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.5 | 93 km | 17 km |
| May 5, 2014 | 19 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.5 | 93 km | 22 km |
| Aug 17, 2007 | 74 km N of Kiana, Alaska | M4.5 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Jun 7, 2014 | 33 km NE of Noatak, Alaska | M4.4 | 96 km | 21 km |
| Jul 18, 2014 | 60 km E of Noatak, Alaska | M4.4 | 89 km | 11 km |
| Dec 6, 1994 | 82 km N of Kiana, Alaska | M4.4 | 118 km | -3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Imuruk Lake (157 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Imuruk Lake | Shield(s) | 610 m (2,001 ft) | 300 | 157 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ELI RIVER (14,394 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | ELI RIVER | 14,394 | 83 km |
| 2004 | UVGOON CREEK | 11,027 | 98 km |
| 1991 | IAN NW 30 | 10,082 | 72 km |
| 2012 | OTTER CREEK | 3,854 | 98 km |
| 1995 | 532391 | 2,903 | 78 km |
| 2015 | CAPE ESPENBERY | 1,575 | 69 km |
| 2019 | BUCKLAND 1 | 1,536 | 98 km |
| 1995 | OTZ NE 55 | 1,257 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.6 in | |
| February | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| March | 2°F (-17°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| April | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in | |
| May | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 46°F (8°C) | 0.6 in | |
| July | 55°F (13°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 51°F (11°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 42°F (5°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 0°F (-18°C) | 0.6 in |
Kotzebue has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from -2°F in February to 55°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and March the driest (0.4").