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Weather & Climate in Lake Minchumina, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lake Minchumina has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 28°F (-2°C). Winters average -4°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 64°F. 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 14.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 53.9 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 852 feet.
Temperature
-4°F Jan (-20°C)
60°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 28.0°F |
| 48% below US avg | |
| January Average | -4°F (-20°C) |
| July Average | 60°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 852 ft (260 m) |
| Area | 94.3 sq mi (244.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 0/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 63.7903°N, 152.4618°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Denali Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 155 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 28.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 17.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3,895 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Nov 29, 2000 | 52 km WSW of Ferry, Alaska | M5.8 | 116 km | 16 km |
| Dec 30, 1995 | 66 km ESE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.7 | 112 km | 137 km |
| Sep 1, 2000 | 71 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.3 | 117 km | 137 km |
| May 15, 2016 | 64 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.3 | 109 km | 132 km |
| Jan 31, 2017 | 64 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.2 | 109 km | 133 km |
| Jan 23, 2011 | 42 km E of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.2 | 83 km | 16 km |
| Jun 4, 2001 | 54 km SSW of Tanana, Alaska | M5.1 | 101 km | 23 km |
| Nov 1, 1992 | 30 km W of Ferry, Alaska | M5.0 | 136 km | 147 km |
| Dec 6, 2000 | 59 km WSW of Ferry, Alaska | M5.0 | 106 km | 12 km |
| Aug 27, 2013 | 67 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M5.0 | 113 km | 130 km |
| Apr 29, 2017 | 54 km SSE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M4.9 | 98 km | 12 km |
| Jun 4, 1992 | 61 km NNW of Petersville, Alaska | M4.9 | 106 km | 139 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 18 km SSW of Lake Minchumina, Alaska | M4.8 | 6 km | 15 km |
| May 17, 1993 | 71 km SE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M4.8 | 117 km | 130 km |
| Sep 28, 2011 | 63 km ESE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M4.8 | 109 km | 136 km |
| Nov 12, 2013 | 63 km N of Petersville, Alaska | M4.8 | 112 km | 131 km |
| Feb 6, 1993 | 66 km N of Petersville, Alaska | M4.7 | 116 km | 128 km |
| Feb 14, 2024 | 57 km N of Petersville, Alaska | M4.7 | 127 km | 116 km |
| Mar 2, 2023 | 44 km W of Lake Minchumina, Alaska | M4.7 | 38 km | 10 km |
| Jul 9, 2000 | 64 km N of Petersville, Alaska | M4.6 | 112 km | 136 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HOG BUTTE (206,154 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | HOG BUTTE | 206,154 | 43 km |
| 2009 | TONCLONUKNA CREEK | 159,040 | 73 km |
| 2009 | TITNA RIVER | 157,456 | 64 km |
| 2015 | BIG MUD RIVER 1 | 141,021 | 99 km |
| 2009 | NOWITNA | 134,924 | 70 km |
| 2002 | SISCHU | 127,573 | 33 km |
| 2015 | MUNSATLI 2 | 124,676 | 22 km |
| 2009 | ZITZIANA | 120,372 | 99 km |
| 2002 | MOOSE LAKE | 118,933 | 32 km |
| 2005 | HIGHPOWER CREEK | 114,043 | 35 km |
| 2015 | SEA | 100,672 | 66 km |
| 2000 | SPIRIT LAKE | 98,775 | 28 km |
| 2000 | GRAND CREEK | 98,482 | 89 km |
| 2022 | BITZSHITINI | 77,588 | 83 km |
| 2015 | RUNGUN CREEK | 62,564 | 65 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER LOG LAKES | 62,239 | 33 km |
| 2017 | NOWITNA | 53,735 | 97 km |
| 2019 | WILDERNESS | 51,017 | 60 km |
| 2009 | BEAR CREEK | 48,237 | 73 km |
| 2019 | FORAKER | 48,200 | 51 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -4°F (-20°C) | 0.8 in | |
| February | 1°F (-17°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| April | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 0.6 in | |
| June | 56°F (14°C) | 1.8 in | |
| July | 60°F (16°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 44°F (7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 5°F (-15°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | -4°F (-20°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
Lake Minchumina has a seasonal temperature swing of 64°F / from -4°F in December to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.1") and March the driest (0.4").