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Weather & Climate in McGrath, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McGrath has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 29°F (-2°C). Winters average -6°F in January while summers reach 61°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 67°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 18.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 86.5 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 338 feet.
Temperature
-6°F Jan (-21°C)
61°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 28.9°F |
| 46% below US avg | |
| January Average | -6°F (-21°C) |
| July Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 338 ft (103 m) |
| Area | 5.6 sq mi (14.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 5/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 62.9389°N, 155.5684°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Kenai Peninsula Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 218 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 47.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
154 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.2.
| Jan 30, 2025 | 13 km WSW of Takotna, Alaska | M5.2 | 38 km | 10 km |
| Apr 27, 1992 | 80 km NE of Lime Village, Alaska | M4.7 | 136 km | -3 km |
| Oct 5, 2002 | 95 km N of McGrath, Alaska | M4.4 | 98 km | 6 km |
| Jul 19, 2020 | 92 km NNE of Lime Village, Alaska | M4.2 | 94 km | 18 km |
| Feb 11, 1992 | 80 km S of Nikolai, Alaska | M4.0 | 88 km | 25 km |
| Apr 17, 2000 | 70 km S of Nikolai, Alaska | M3.9 | 88 km | 10 km |
| May 17, 1995 | 44 km NE of Nikolai, Alaska | M3.7 | 102 km | 27 km |
| Mar 18, 2019 | 105 km S of Nikolai, Alaska | M3.7 | 123 km | 8 km |
| May 18, 1995 | 44 km ENE of Nikolai, Alaska | M3.7 | 103 km | 40 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 97 km SSE of Nikolai, Alaska | M3.7 | 124 km | 8 km |
| Aug 11, 2013 | 63 km SSW of Lake Minchumina, Alaska | M3.7 | 138 km | 15 km |
| Apr 12, 2007 | 67 km SW of Denali National Park, Alaska | M3.5 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Feb 19, 2023 | 95 km SSE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.5 | 135 km | 12 km |
| May 19, 1995 | 38 km ENE of Nikolai, Alaska | M3.5 | 98 km | 9 km |
| Sep 30, 1992 | 71 km NE of Lime Village, Alaska | M3.5 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Apr 27, 2003 | 63 km SW of Lake Minchumina, Alaska | M3.5 | 137 km | 11 km |
| Oct 31, 1996 | 78 km S of Nikolai, Alaska | M3.4 | 86 km | 1 km |
| Jun 8, 1993 | 55 km NNW of Takotna, Alaska | M3.4 | 75 km | 10 km |
| Aug 11, 1994 | 85 km ESE of Nikolai, Alaska | M3.4 | 141 km | 6 km |
| Sep 19, 1990 | 40 km W of Takotna, Alaska | M3.4 | 66 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TATLAWIKSUK (262,349 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | TATLAWIKSUK | 262,349 | 68 km |
| 2002 | VINASALE | 175,486 | 29 km |
| 2019 | HURST CREEK | 139,405 | 91 km |
| 2013 | MOORE CREEK | 135,659 | 87 km |
| 2002 | COLORADO CREEK | 89,062 | 78 km |
| 1988 | 804028 | 86,445 | 74 km |
| 2005 | WASHINGTON CR. | 68,914 | 56 km |
| 2002 | WINDY | 67,318 | 71 km |
| 2005 | WASKY | 59,754 | 83 km |
| 2019 | PAGE MOUNTAIN | 52,271 | 36 km |
| 2022 | FOURTH OF JULY CREEK | 52,239 | 62 km |
| 1994 | KATLITNA | 45,200 | 23 km |
| 2005 | DISHNA | 40,132 | 95 km |
| 2010 | LONE MOUNTAIN | 38,181 | 74 km |
| 2022 | SUBMARINE CREEK | 36,145 | 50 km |
| 2009 | BIG RIVER | 30,326 | 85 km |
| 2002 | NORTH FORK | 30,221 | 66 km |
| 2005 | LONE MOUNTAIN | 29,138 | 61 km |
| 2005 | UPPER TATLAWIKSUK | 27,863 | 84 km |
| 2011 | DISH MOUNTAIN | 26,286 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -6°F (-21°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | -0°F (-18°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 1.0 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 1.5 in | |
| July | 61°F (16°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 45°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | |
| October | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 7°F (-14°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | -3°F (-20°C) | 1.4 in |
McGrath has a seasonal temperature swing of 67°F / from -6°F in January to 61°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.9") and April the driest (0.7").