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Weather & Climate in Prudhoe Bay, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Prudhoe Bay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 13°F (-10°C). Winters average -15°F in January while summers reach 47°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 62°F. The area gets 275 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 5.7 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 22 feet.
Temperature
-15°F Jan (-26°C)
47°F Jul (9°C)
| Annual Average | 13.3°F |
| 75% below US avg | |
| January Average | -15°F (-26°C) |
| July Average | 47°F (9°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 22 ft (7 m) |
| Area | 557.1 sq mi (1,442.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 5/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 70.3659°N, 148.7494°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 384 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Earthquake History
38 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.
| Aug 31, 1995 | 109 km SSE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M5.1 | 127 km | 35 km |
| Dec 4, 1993 | 83 km SE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M4.9 | 103 km | 1 km |
| Feb 20, 2006 | 98 km WSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.6 | 137 km | 10 km |
| Mar 12, 2006 | 115 km SW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.6 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2008 | 99 km SE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M4.4 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 79 km SSE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M4.4 | 98 km | 10 km |
| Aug 31, 1995 | 116 km SSE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M4.2 | 133 km | 32 km |
| Mar 10, 2019 | 89 km SW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M4.2 | 150 km | 13 km |
| May 12, 2013 | 81 km SE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M4.1 | 101 km | 8 km |
| Mar 22, 2006 | 100 km SW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M3.9 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Jul 17, 1999 | northern Alaska | M3.9 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Nov 11, 1995 | 88 km SE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M3.8 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Sep 14, 1994 | 130 km SSE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M3.7 | 148 km | 20 km |
| Feb 21, 2006 | 101 km SW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M3.7 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Jun 27, 2003 | 86 km WSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M3.7 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Mar 20, 2008 | 71 km SE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M3.6 | 91 km | 25 km |
| Feb 20, 2006 | 75 km ESE of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M3.3 | 95 km | 10 km |
| Mar 26, 2003 | 77 km SSW of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska | M3.2 | 87 km | 10 km |
| Feb 20, 2006 | 86 km WSW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M3.2 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Jan 13, 2025 | 89 km SW of Kaktovik, Alaska | M3.2 | 149 km | 15 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ITKILLIK RIVER (2,184 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | ITKILLIK RIVER | 2,184 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -15°F (-26°C) | 0.2 in | |
| February | -19°F (-28°C) | 0.2 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | -16°F (-27°C) | 0.2 in | |
| April | 2°F (-17°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.3 in | |
| June | 39°F (4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 47°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 44°F (7°C) | 1.3 in | Wettest |
| September | 34°F (1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| October | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | -3°F (-19°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | -11°F (-24°C) | 0.2 in |
Prudhoe Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 66°F / from -19°F in February to 47°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 6.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.3") and February the driest (0.2").