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Weather & Climate in Nulato, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nulato has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 28°F (-2°C). Winters average -4°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°F. The area gets 269 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 21.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). 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 238 feet.
Temperature
-4°F Jan (-20°C)
59°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 27.9°F |
| 48% below US avg | |
| January Average | -4°F (-20°C) |
| July Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 238 ft (73 m) |
| Area | 43.9 sq mi (113.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 7/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 64.6913°N, 158.2754°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Northwest Arctic Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 307 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 54.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 5.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | No Rating |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
66 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Jul 6, 2006 | 36 km NNE of Koyuk, Alaska | M4.5 | 132 km | 10 km |
| May 17, 1999 | 15 km ENE of Kaltag, Alaska | M4.5 | 36 km | 10 km |
| Sep 13, 1998 | 26 km S of Nulato, Alaska | M4.2 | 25 km | 10 km |
| Nov 21, 2000 | 26 km ENE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.9 | 28 km | 10 km |
| Feb 6, 2001 | 31 km W of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.8 | 66 km | 22 km |
| Aug 25, 2025 | 24 km N of Koyuk, Alaska | M3.6 | 142 km | 3 km |
| Feb 19, 2023 | 95 km SSE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.5 | 129 km | 12 km |
| Oct 22, 2003 | 99 km NNW of Koyukuk, Alaska | M3.5 | 108 km | 33 km |
| Jan 22, 1992 | 51 km NE of Unalakleet, Alaska | M3.5 | 103 km | -3 km |
| Oct 4, 2000 | 16 km ENE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.5 | 34 km | 9 km |
| Aug 28, 2019 | 10 km NNE of Ruby, Alaska | M3.4 | 135 km | 16 km |
| Apr 29, 2021 | 20 km ENE of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.4 | 35 km | 14 km |
| Jun 23, 2020 | 48 km ENE of Shaktoolik, Alaska | M3.4 | 99 km | 7 km |
| Apr 7, 2022 | 49 km NNW of Koyukuk, Alaska | M3.3 | 63 km | 13 km |
| Jul 2, 2002 | 27 km SSW of Galena, Alaska | M3.2 | 58 km | 20 km |
| May 4, 2022 | 26 km W of Ruby, Alaska | M3.2 | 106 km | 16 km |
| Sep 13, 2000 | 6 km WNW of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.2 | 47 km | 24 km |
| Jan 20, 2004 | 37 km W of Kaltag, Alaska | M3.1 | 72 km | 9 km |
| May 18, 2013 | 43 km NE of Unalakleet, Alaska | M3.1 | 108 km | 24 km |
| Dec 31, 1990 | 89 km NW of Takotna, Alaska | M3.1 | 130 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BONANZA CREEK (241,856 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | BONANZA CREEK | 241,856 | 44 km |
| 2005 | HOLTNATKATNA CREEK | 204,488 | 93 km |
| 2000 | YUKON CREEK | 68,820 | 52 km |
| 1990 | GAL N 38 | 61,375 | 93 km |
| 2002 | KHOTOL RIVER | 58,025 | 100 km |
| 2005 | GISASA RIVER | 51,057 | 29 km |
| 2022 | MUD RIVER | 49,997 | 91 km |
| 2015 | OLD WOMAN | 46,474 | 96 km |
| 2007 | COFFEE CAN LAKE | 41,717 | 97 km |
| 2015 | YUKON CREEK | 39,035 | 45 km |
| 2015 | NULATO | 35,728 | 15 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE MUD RIVER 1 | 33,500 | 85 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE MUD RIVER 2 | 33,080 | 80 km |
| 1988 | 831024 | 25,914 | 82 km |
| 2004 | LOUIS LAKE | 24,323 | 77 km |
| 2019 | LOUIS LAKE | 22,720 | 83 km |
| 2015 | BARE MT | 22,514 | 99 km |
| 2015 | ILLINOIS MINE | 21,968 | 73 km |
| 2005 | NULATO 3 | 14,707 | 11 km |
| 2015 | CAMP CREEK | 11,801 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -4°F (-20°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 3°F (-16°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 8°F (-13°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 42°F (5°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 53°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | Wettest |
| September | 43°F (6°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 8°F (-13°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.8 in |
Nulato has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from -4°F in January to 59°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.6") and May the driest (0.5").