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Weather & Climate in Pelican, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pelican has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 55°F in July. The area gets 166 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 164.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 111.7 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 202 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)
55°F Jul (13°C)
| Annual Average | 42.7°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| Sunny Days | 166 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 202 ft (62 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 82/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 57.9592°N, 136.2151°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Hoonah-Angoon Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Juneau International (JNU) 66 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 14.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | No Rating |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
600 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| Jan 6, 2000 | 35 km WSW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M6.1 | 40 km | 1 km |
| Jul 25, 2014 | 40 km WNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M6.0 | 61 km | 10 km |
| Jun 24, 1991 | 34 km WNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M5.6 | 57 km | 0 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 63 km SW of Covenant Life, Alaska | M5.2 | 117 km | 8 km |
| Jun 7, 2009 | 66 km NNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M5.0 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 64 km WSW of Covenant Life, Alaska | M5.0 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Jul 25, 2014 | 41 km WNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.7 | 62 km | 10 km |
| Jul 25, 2014 | 43 km WNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.7 | 63 km | 10 km |
| May 1, 2021 | 93 km W of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.7 | 106 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2019 | 92 km WSW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.6 | 95 km | 20 km |
| Jan 6, 2000 | 30 km WSW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.6 | 36 km | 1 km |
| Jul 25, 2014 | 44 km W of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.6 | 60 km | 2 km |
| Feb 15, 2010 | 103 km NW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.6 | 127 km | 3 km |
| Dec 16, 1998 | 39 km SW of Sitka, Alaska | M4.6 | 135 km | 12 km |
| Feb 18, 2015 | 43 km WNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.5 | 64 km | 3 km |
| Jan 14, 2022 | 56 km SSW of Pelican, Alaska | M4.5 | 57 km | 14 km |
| Apr 16, 2009 | 95 km NW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.5 | 118 km | 15 km |
| Feb 24, 1997 | 45 km NNW of Gustavus, Alaska | M4.5 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2017 | 30 km W of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.5 | 43 km | 13 km |
| Jul 25, 2014 | 39 km WNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.4 | 59 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
10 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 524.6 m (1,721 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1958 | SE. ALASKA, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 524.6 m | 5 | 53 km |
| 1936 | LITUYA BAY, AK | Meteorological | 149.4 m | — | 88 km |
| 1853 | LITUYA BAY, AK | Meteorological | 120.0 m | — | 109 km |
| 1874 | LITUYA BAY, AK | Meteorological | 24.4 m | — | 110 km |
| 1917 | TAKU INLET, JUNEAU, AK | Meteorological | 2.4 m | 1 | 125 km |
| 1880 | SITKA, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.8 m | — | 107 km |
| 1972 | SE. ALASKA, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 131 km |
| 2014 | PALMA BAY, AK | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 61 km |
| 1927 | SE. ALASKA, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 31 km |
| 1900 | LITUYA BAY, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | — | 5 | 104 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Edgecumbe (105 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Edgecumbe | Stratovolcano(es) | 970 m (3,182 ft) | -2220 | 105 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-0°C) | 8.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 6.9 in | |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 6.1 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 43°F (6°C) | 5.2 in | |
| June | 49°F (10°C) | 4.0 in | Driest |
| July | 55°F (13°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 6.9 in | |
| September | 49°F (9°C) | 11.0 in | |
| October | 41°F (5°C) | 13.5 in | Wettest |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 9.7 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 9.3 in |
Pelican has a seasonal temperature swing of 24°F / from 31°F in January to 55°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 90.8 inches, with October being the wettest month (13.5") and June the driest (4.0").