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Weather & Climate in Nelchina, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nelchina has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 26°F (-3°C). Winters average -5°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°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 11.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 54.5 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 3,372 feet.
Temperature
-5°F Jan (-21°C)
58°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 26.3°F |
| 51% below US avg | |
| January Average | -5°F (-21°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,372 ft (1,028 m) |
| Area | 47.5 sq mi (123.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 2/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 62.0104°N, 146.8299°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Chugach Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 119 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 19.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,806 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| May 31, 2021 | 73 km N of Chickaloon, Alaska | M6.1 | 88 km | 44 km |
| Dec 28, 1990 | 49 km S of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.3 | 146 km | 74 km |
| Feb 6, 2022 | 72 km S of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.2 | 127 km | 62 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 9 km ESE of Eureka Roadhouse, Alaska | M5.1 | 15 km | 50 km |
| Aug 25, 2004 | 48 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M5.1 | 52 km | 40 km |
| Feb 17, 1995 | 4 km N of Chickaloon, Alaska | M5.0 | 88 km | 9 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 14 km N of Paxson, Alaska | M4.9 | 150 km | 1 km |
| Nov 26, 1990 | 21 km SE of Susitna North, Alaska | M4.9 | 140 km | 45 km |
| Jun 20, 2010 | 11 km SW of Tatitlek, Alaska | M4.8 | 137 km | 11 km |
| Apr 6, 2005 | 37 km NNW of Valdez, Alaska | M4.8 | 64 km | 17 km |
| Sep 24, 2022 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 87 km | 41 km |
| Jul 27, 1995 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 63 km | 29 km |
| Feb 12, 1993 | 27 km ESE of Susitna North, Alaska | M4.7 | 134 km | 42 km |
| Oct 18, 1996 | 47 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M4.7 | 50 km | 40 km |
| Feb 17, 1997 | 20 km WNW of Fishhook, Alaska | M4.7 | 147 km | 47 km |
| Aug 18, 1998 | 35 km E of Knik River, Alaska | M4.7 | 94 km | 12 km |
| Dec 25, 2012 | Southern Alaska | M4.7 | 85 km | 37 km |
| Jan 10, 1998 | 55 km S of Glacier View, Alaska | M4.7 | 90 km | 34 km |
| Sep 2, 1998 | 36 km WNW of Valdez, Alaska | M4.6 | 81 km | 25 km |
| May 31, 2021 | 75 km N of Chickaloon, Alaska | M4.6 | 91 km | 44 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 51.8 m (170 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1964 | PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 51.8 m | 139 | 126 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Wrangell (147 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Wrangell | Shield | 4,278 m (14,035 ft) | 1912 | 147 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ALPHABET HILLS (34,657 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | ALPHABET HILLS | 34,657 | 77 km |
| 2019 | TOKAINA 2 | 14,741 | 29 km |
| 2013 | TABERT LAKE | 1,525 | 34 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 2°F (-16°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| May | 38°F (4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 49°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 58°F (14°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 51°F (10°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 41°F (5°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 8°F (-13°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.9 in |
Nelchina has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from -5°F in January to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.4") and April the driest (0.4").