All Countries
Weather & Climate in Metlakatla, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Metlakatla experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. The area gets 166 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 105.2 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 135 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
57°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 45.7°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 166 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 135 ft (41 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 579/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 55.1147°N, 131.5557°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Ketchikan Gateway Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Ketchikan International (KTN) 18 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
23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Jan 12, 1990 | 85 km WSW of Prince Rupert, Canada | M5.3 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Apr 29, 2013 | 60 km ENE of Thoms Place, Alaska | M4.3 | 141 km | 13 km |
| Jan 12, 1990 | 88 km SW of Prince Rupert, Canada | M4.2 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Jul 3, 2009 | 91 km SW of Prince Rupert, Canada | M4.0 | 147 km | 7 km |
| Jan 26, 1990 | 131 km WSW of Prince Rupert, Canada | M4.0 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Nov 8, 2009 | 29 km S of Hydaburg, Alaska | M3.9 | 81 km | 15 km |
| Jan 15, 1990 | 83 km SW of Prince Rupert, Canada | M3.7 | 140 km | 10 km |
| May 8, 2003 | 87 km W of Prince Rupert, Canada | M3.5 | 100 km | 17 km |
| Nov 2, 1997 | 12 km SSE of Kasaan, Alaska | M3.3 | 62 km | 0 km |
| Apr 6, 2010 | 34 km SW of Craig, Alaska | M3.3 | 129 km | 18 km |
| Nov 8, 2009 | 34 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M3.2 | 73 km | 10 km |
| Jan 18, 2008 | 17 km E of Hyder, Alaska | M3.1 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Apr 12, 2019 | 22 km WNW of Hyder, Alaska | M3.0 | 122 km | 8 km |
| Jan 18, 2008 | 11 km N of Hyder, Alaska | M2.9 | 138 km | 16 km |
| Jun 9, 2007 | 85 km SSW of Metlakatla, Alaska | M2.8 | 85 km | 14 km |
| Jun 21, 2020 | 62 km WNW of Terrace, Canada | M2.8 | 139 km | 0 km |
| Nov 9, 2009 | 25 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M2.8 | 77 km | 15 km |
| May 12, 2016 | 20 km NW of Hyder, Alaska | M2.8 | 134 km | 4 km |
| Sep 11, 2015 | 5 km SE of Hyder, Alaska | M2.8 | 132 km | 11 km |
| Apr 12, 1992 | 56 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M2.7 | 68 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 5.5 m (18 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1963 | GRAHAM ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA | Unknown | 5.5 m | 1 | 132 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Tlevak Strait-Suemez Is. (112 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Tlevak Strait-Suemez Is. | Volcanic field | 50 m (164 ft) | Unknown | 112 km |
| Iskut-Unuk River Cones | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,880 m (6,168 ft) | 1800 | 175 km |
| Hoodoo Mountain | Subglacial | 1,850 m (6,070 ft) | -7050 | 186 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 10.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 8.8 in | |
| March | 38°F (4°C) | 8.4 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 8.0 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 6.4 in | |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 5.2 in | |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 4.8 in | Driest |
| August | 58°F (14°C) | 6.9 in | Warmest |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 10.0 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 15.3 in | Wettest |
| November | 40°F (4°C) | 12.7 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 11.9 in |
Metlakatla has a seasonal temperature swing of 22°F / from 36°F in January to 58°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 108.7 inches, with October being the wettest month (15.3") and July the driest (4.8").