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Weather & Climate in Nikiski, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nikiski has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 36°F (2°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 56°F in July. The area gets 200 sunny days per year. 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 133 feet.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-9°C)
56°F Jul (13°C)
| Annual Average | 35.6°F |
| 34% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 56°F (13°C) |
| Sunny Days | 200 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 133 ft (41 m) |
| Area | 75.9 sq mi (196.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 67/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 60.7250°N, 151.2253°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Kenai Peninsula Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 52 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
10,370 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.4.
| Jul 29, 2015 | 52 km ENE of Pedro Bay, Alaska | M6.4 | 143 km | 119 km |
| Jul 9, 1998 | 73 km WNW of Ninilchik, Alaska | M6.1 | 95 km | 131 km |
| Nov 20, 1993 | 66 km ENE of Pedro Bay, Alaska | M5.9 | 126 km | 121 km |
| May 10, 2014 | 23 km WNW of Happy Valley, Alaska | M5.8 | 94 km | 89 km |
| Dec 4, 2012 | 20 km ENE of Beluga, Alaska | M5.8 | 62 km | 64 km |
| Jun 24, 2015 | 46 km SW of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.8 | 112 km | 114 km |
| Mar 2, 2017 | 48 km WNW of Nanwalek, Alaska | M5.6 | 150 km | 78 km |
| Aug 13, 1990 | 13 km NW of Happy Valley, Alaska | M5.5 | 87 km | 72 km |
| May 24, 1995 | 26 km SSW of Anchorage, Alaska | M5.5 | 67 km | 39 km |
| Jan 25, 2001 | 39 km WNW of Ninilchik, Alaska | M5.5 | 90 km | 83 km |
| Oct 17, 1996 | 70 km WNW of Happy Valley, Alaska | M5.4 | 117 km | 117 km |
| May 19, 2005 | 54 km W of Happy Valley, Alaska | M5.4 | 113 km | 96 km |
| Apr 25, 1994 | 19 km NE of Nikiski, Alaska | M5.4 | 15 km | 49 km |
| Jul 4, 1996 | 33 km ESE of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.4 | 127 km | 54 km |
| Dec 2, 1992 | 29 km WNW of Susitna, Alaska | M5.4 | 107 km | 67 km |
| Jun 22, 2009 | 36 km E of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.4 | 138 km | 65 km |
| Mar 19, 2023 | 19 km SSW of Anchor Point, Alaska | M5.4 | 130 km | 65 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 44 km NW of Ninilchik, Alaska | M5.3 | 74 km | 85 km |
| Feb 27, 2021 | 5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.3 | 96 km | 46 km |
| May 6, 1997 | 8 km NW of Knik-Fairview, Alaska | M5.3 | 124 km | 31 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 |
| Apr 19, 2024 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 60.0 m (197 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1967 | GREWINGK, AK | Meteorological | 60.0 m | — | 123 km |
| 2024 | PEDERSEN LAGOON, AK | Meteorological | 17.0 m | — | 120 km |
| 2022 | RESURRECTION BAY, AK | Meteorological | 0.1 m | — | 121 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Spurr (84 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Spurr | Stratovolcano | 3,374 m (11,070 ft) | 1992 | 84 km |
| Iliamna | Stratovolcano | 3,053 m (10,016 ft) | 1876 | 128 km |
| Augustine | Lava dome(s) | 1,252 m (4,108 ft) | 2006 | 195 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
15 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FUNNY RIVER (193,798 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | FUNNY RIVER | 193,798 | 51 km |
| 2019 | SWAN LAKE | 164,801 | 59 km |
| 2007 | CARIBOU HILLS | 46,686 | 78 km |
| 2005 | FOX CREEK WFU | 25,577 | 65 km |
| 2009 | SHANTA CREEK | 14,474 | 45 km |
| 2005 | KING COUNTY CREEK | 10,124 | 51 km |
| 1991 | POTHOLE | 8,769 | 74 km |
| 2015 | CARD STREET | 7,366 | 45 km |
| 2004 | GLACIER CREEK | 5,230 | 74 km |
| 1994 | WINDY POINT | 2,689 | 71 km |
| 1987 | SKILAK 2 | 2,365 | 52 km |
| 2007 | SWAN LAKE | 1,986 | 57 km |
| 2014 | TYONEK | 1,668 | 42 km |
| 2017 | EAST FORK | 1,104 | 42 km |
| 2005 | IRISH CHANNEL | 1,067 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-9°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 1.7 in | |
| March | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 35°F (2°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 1.4 in | |
| July | 56°F (13°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 56°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| October | 36°F (2°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 22°F (-5°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 17°F (-9°C) | 2.8 in |
Nikiski has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 15°F in January to 56°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.6 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.4") and April the driest (1.1").