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Weather & Climate in Nelson Lagoon, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nelson Lagoon has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 52°F in July. The area gets 233 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 42.7 inches. The area receives 67.3 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 81 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
52°F Jul (11°C)
| Annual Average | 39.3°F |
| 27% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| Sunny Days | 233 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 81 ft (25 m) |
| Area | 247.0 sq mi (639.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 0/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 55.8366°N, 161.6358°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Aleutians East Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 558 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 21.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | No Rating |
| Hail | No Rating |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,572 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.0.
| May 30, 1991 | 71 km SE of King Cove, Alaska | M7.0 | 141 km | 28 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 17 km S of Sand Point, Alaska | M6.9 | 104 km | 32 km |
| Oct 13, 1999 | 85 km ESE of King Cove, Alaska | M6.4 | 134 km | 30 km |
| May 25, 1993 | 35 km S of Sand Point, Alaska | M6.2 | 115 km | 37 km |
| Mar 14, 1995 | 70 km ESE of King Cove, Alaska | M6.2 | 119 km | 35 km |
| Jul 16, 2011 | 72 km ESE of King Cove, Alaska | M6.1 | 119 km | 36 km |
| Jul 28, 2020 | 75 km SW of Sand Point, Alaska | M6.1 | 120 km | 35 km |
| Feb 2, 2011 | 40 km S of Sand Point, Alaska | M5.9 | 121 km | 35 km |
| Jul 20, 1991 | 69 km SE of King Cove, Alaska | M5.9 | 141 km | 33 km |
| Jul 16, 2023 | 81 km SSW of Sand Point, Alaska | M5.8 | 144 km | 35 km |
| May 5, 2011 | 37 km SSW of Sand Point, Alaska | M5.8 | 109 km | 36 km |
| Jan 20, 2000 | 80 km NNW of Nelson Lagoon, Alaska | M5.8 | 88 km | 221 km |
| Jul 23, 2011 | 82 km SSW of Sand Point, Alaska | M5.7 | 131 km | 23 km |
| May 5, 2011 | 27 km S of Sand Point, Alaska | M5.7 | 108 km | 39 km |
| May 17, 1993 | 49 km SE of Sand Point, Alaska | M5.7 | 139 km | 33 km |
| Aug 3, 2023 | 85 km SSW of Sand Point, Alaska | M5.6 | 138 km | 35 km |
| May 2, 2009 | 78 km SE of King Cove, Alaska | M5.6 | 145 km | 9 km |
| May 30, 1991 | 62 km SSE of King Cove, Alaska | M5.6 | 141 km | 33 km |
| Dec 22, 1997 | 64 km SSW of Sand Point, Alaska | M5.5 | 127 km | 33 km |
| Mar 26, 1995 | 65 km ESE of King Cove, Alaska | M5.5 | 114 km | 38 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
1 tornado (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 25, 2005 | EF0 | 89 km | — | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 88.0 m (289 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1788 | SHUMAGIN ISLANDS, AK | Earthquake | 88.0 m | — | 101 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Pavlof (49 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Pavlof | Stratovolcano | 2,493 m (8,179 ft) | 2016 | 49 km |
| Emmons Lake | Caldera | 1,436 m (4,711 ft) | Unknown | 62 km |
| Amak | Stratovolcano | 488 m (1,601 ft) | 1796 | 106 km |
| Frosty | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,728 m (5,669 ft) | Unknown | 114 km |
| Shishaldin | Stratovolcano | 2,857 m (9,373 ft) | 2020 | 190 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.4 in | |
| February | 26°F (-4°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 33°F (1°C) | 1.8 in | Driest |
| May | 41°F (5°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 47°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 52°F (11°C) | 2.7 in | |
| August | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| October | 39°F (4°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 32°F (0°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.4 in |
Nelson Lagoon has a seasonal temperature swing of 27°F / from 26°F in February to 52°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 35.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.3") and April the driest (1.8").