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Weather & Climate in Northway, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Northway has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 25°F (-4°C). Winters average -13°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 73°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 11.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.9 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 2,215 feet.
Temperature
-13°F Jan (-25°C)
60°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 24.7°F |
| 54% below US avg | |
| January Average | -13°F (-25°C) |
| July Average | 60°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,215 ft (675 m) |
| Area | 20.4 sq mi (52.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 63.0008°N, 141.5413°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Southeast Fairbanks Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 229 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 57.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 88.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 5.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
692 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Feb 13, 2017 | 20 km NE of Nabesna, Alaska | M5.3 | 82 km | 9 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 17 km ESE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M5.1 | 98 km | 13 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 3 km ENE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M5.1 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 16 km WNW of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M5.0 | 127 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 21 km N of Nabesna, Alaska | M5.0 | 87 km | 1 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 60 km SW of Alcan Border, Alaska | M5.0 | 87 km | 1 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 13 km SSE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M4.9 | 111 km | 3 km |
| Nov 5, 2002 | 15 km SE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M4.8 | 103 km | 8 km |
| Feb 23, 2004 | 29 km E of Nabesna, Alaska | M4.8 | 88 km | 2 km |
| Nov 5, 2002 | Central Alaska | M4.8 | 87 km | 1 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 41 km WNW of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M4.7 | 149 km | 6 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 17 km NNE of Nabesna, Alaska | M4.6 | 86 km | 1 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 26 km WNW of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M4.6 | 134 km | 0 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 30 km NNW of Nabesna, Alaska | M4.6 | 91 km | 1 km |
| Nov 5, 2002 | 18 km N of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M4.6 | 113 km | 1 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 17 km NE of Nabesna, Alaska | M4.5 | 86 km | 1 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 33 km NNW of Nabesna, Alaska | M4.5 | 91 km | 1 km |
| Nov 5, 2002 | 29 km N of Nabesna, Alaska | M4.4 | 87 km | 1 km |
| Nov 9, 2002 | Central Alaska | M4.4 | 107 km | 6 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 3 km ESE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M4.4 | 110 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Wrangell (169 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Wrangell | Shield | 4,278 m (14,035 ft) | 1912 | 169 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TAYLOR HIGHWAY COMPLEX (PORCUPINE) (267,726 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | TAYLOR HIGHWAY COMPLEX (PORCUPINE) | 267,726 | 77 km |
| 2004 | TAYLOR HIGHWAY COMPLEX (GARDINER CREEK) | 125,751 | 9 km |
| 1990 | TOK RIVER | 95,688 | 67 km |
| 2013 | CHISANA RIVER | 44,397 | 63 km |
| 1998 | STP001 | 42,797 | 75 km |
| 2003 | BLACK HILL | 41,929 | 43 km |
| 2015 | CHISANA RIVER 2 | 37,941 | 57 km |
| 2019 | MCARTHUR CREEK | 36,888 | 29 km |
| 1999 | UPPERWESTFORK | 32,987 | 91 km |
| 1998 | GARDINER CREEK | 28,824 | 18 km |
| 2021 | BLACK HILLS | 28,360 | 54 km |
| 2018 | TAIXTSALDA HILL | 28,055 | 47 km |
| 2015 | LONG LAKE | 27,670 | 21 km |
| 2009 | LADUE RIVER | 21,953 | 33 km |
| 2013 | TETLIN JCT RIDGE | 18,530 | 50 km |
| 2007 | LADUE | 18,142 | 38 km |
| 1991 | 113349 | 18,047 | 54 km |
| 2019 | BOUNDARY RIVER | 13,773 | 39 km |
| 1990 | PORCUPINE | 11,458 | 68 km |
| 1986 | PORCUPINE | 11,049 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -13°F (-25°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest |
| February | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.3 in | |
| March | 8°F (-14°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| April | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.3 in | |
| May | 41°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 60°F (16°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 51°F (11°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 41°F (5°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.5 in | |
| November | 0°F (-18°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | -11°F (-24°C) | 0.3 in |
Northway has a seasonal temperature swing of 73°F / from -13°F in January to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.8") and March the driest (0.2").