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Weather & Climate in Nikolai, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nikolai has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 30°F (-1°C). Winters average -2°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 61°F. 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 425 feet.
Temperature
-2°F Jan (-19°C)
59°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 29.8°F |
| 45% below US avg | |
| January Average | -2°F (-19°C) |
| July Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 200 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 425 ft (130 m) |
| Area | 4.9 sq mi (12.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 20/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 62.9991°N, 154.3749°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Kenai Peninsula Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 190 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
705 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 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 18 km SSW of Lake Minchumina, Alaska | M4.8 | 125 km | 15 km |
| Apr 27, 1992 | 80 km NE of Lime Village, Alaska | M4.7 | 128 km | -3 km |
| Mar 2, 2023 | 44 km W of Lake Minchumina, Alaska | M4.7 | 112 km | 10 km |
| May 21, 2016 | 69 km NW of Skwentna, Alaska | M4.5 | 121 km | 144 km |
| Apr 10, 2009 | 5 km S of Denali National Park, Alaska | M4.5 | 143 km | 14 km |
| Apr 26, 2008 | 58 km S of Denali National Park, Alaska | M4.4 | 142 km | 13 km |
| Oct 5, 2002 | 95 km N of McGrath, Alaska | M4.4 | 103 km | 6 km |
| Jun 8, 2024 | 49 km SSE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M4.4 | 147 km | 13 km |
| Feb 25, 1993 | 21 km SE of Lake Minchumina, Alaska | M4.3 | 145 km | 30 km |
| Apr 15, 2016 | 45 km SSE of Denali National Park, Alaska | M4.3 | 149 km | 14 km |
| Jun 5, 2012 | 81 km NW of Skwentna, Alaska | M4.2 | 109 km | 6 km |
| Jan 30, 2006 | 51 km S of Denali National Park, Alaska | M4.2 | 140 km | 8 km |
| Jul 19, 2020 | 92 km NNE of Lime Village, Alaska | M4.2 | 99 km | 18 km |
| Sep 10, 2014 | 67 km W of Petersville, Alaska | M4.2 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2004 | 49 km W of Petersville, Alaska | M4.1 | 146 km | 105 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 84 km SSW of Denali National Park, Alaska | M4.1 | 93 km | 15 km |
| Jun 23, 2025 | 32 km S of Denali National Park, Alaska | M4.1 | 130 km | 12 km |
| Feb 11, 1992 | 80 km S of Nikolai, Alaska | M4.0 | 79 km | 25 km |
| Sep 24, 2011 | 51 km SW of Denali National Park, Alaska | M4.0 | 98 km | 8 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 | 87 km |
| 2022 | HOG BUTTE | 206,154 | 97 km |
| 2002 | VINASALE | 175,486 | 67 km |
| 2009 | TONCLONUKNA CREEK | 159,040 | 56 km |
| 2002 | MOOSE LAKE | 118,933 | 99 km |
| 2010 | TURQUOISE LAKE | 86,915 | 56 km |
| 2005 | WASHINGTON CR. | 68,914 | 69 km |
| 2002 | WINDY | 67,318 | 39 km |
| 2015 | RUNGUN CREEK | 62,564 | 72 km |
| 2019 | PAGE MOUNTAIN | 52,271 | 72 km |
| 1994 | KATLITNA | 45,200 | 51 km |
| 2010 | LONE MOUNTAIN | 38,181 | 63 km |
| 2022 | SUBMARINE CREEK | 36,145 | 38 km |
| 2015 | DEEPBANK CREEK | 33,076 | 45 km |
| 2009 | BIG RIVER | 30,326 | 83 km |
| 2002 | NORTH FORK | 30,221 | 21 km |
| 2018 | WHITE MOUNTAIN CREEK | 30,001 | 85 km |
| 2005 | LONE MOUNTAIN | 29,138 | 62 km |
| 2002 | SULUKNA | 28,825 | 81 km |
| 2005 | UPPER TATLAWIKSUK | 27,863 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 5°F (-15°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| April | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 in | |
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| September | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 6°F (-15°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 1°F (-17°C) | 0.8 in |
Nikolai has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from -2°F in January to 59°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.3") and March the driest (0.5").