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Weather & Climate in Russian Mission, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Russian Mission has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 31°F (-0°C). Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 56°F in July. 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 19.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 64.0 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 93 feet.
Temperature
7°F Jan (-14°C)
56°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 31.4°F |
| 42% below US avg | |
| January Average | 7°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 56°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 93 ft (28 m) |
| Area | 5.9 sq mi (15.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 38/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 61.7787°N, 161.3629°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Bethel Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 377 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 44.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 100.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
22 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Jan 26, 1991 | 35 km SSW of Holy Cross, Alaska | M4.1 | 69 km | 10 km |
| Apr 22, 2024 | 37 km ESE of Holy Cross, Alaska | M3.9 | 122 km | 13 km |
| Mar 6, 2014 | 13 km WSW of Aniak, Alaska | M3.9 | 88 km | 32 km |
| Mar 20, 1997 | Southern Alaska | M3.8 | 145 km | -3 km |
| Apr 4, 2004 | 17 km SSW of Aniak, Alaska | M3.8 | 97 km | 19 km |
| Sep 29, 2016 | 45 km ENE of Holy Cross, Alaska | M3.7 | 140 km | 32 km |
| Jun 1, 2010 | 9 km SE of Tuluksak, Alaska | M3.5 | 87 km | 28 km |
| Aug 31, 2021 | 5 km S of Lower Kalskag, Alaska | M3.5 | 64 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 2009 | 3 km SE of Kalskag, Alaska | M3.4 | 65 km | 3 km |
| Jan 24, 2016 | 61 km S of Aniak, Alaska | M2.9 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 2024 | 71 km N of Marshall, Alaska | M2.8 | 88 km | 15 km |
| Apr 4, 1992 | 9 km ENE of Anvik, Alaska | M2.8 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Mar 1, 2024 | 26 km WSW of Holy Cross, Alaska | M2.8 | 69 km | 11 km |
| Jan 25, 2016 | 56 km S of Aniak, Alaska | M2.7 | 125 km | 1 km |
| Mar 23, 2016 | 53 km S of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M2.7 | 131 km | 18 km |
| Jan 25, 2016 | 62 km S of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M2.6 | 136 km | 20 km |
| Apr 16, 2024 | 6 km SW of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M2.6 | 110 km | 15 km |
| Jun 17, 2019 | 18 km S of Willow Creek, Alaska | M2.6 | 31 km | 9 km |
| Jan 26, 2011 | 26 km S of Aniak, Alaska | M2.5 | 109 km | 20 km |
| Jan 24, 2016 | 50 km S of Chuathbaluk, Alaska | M2.5 | 133 km | 26 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
1 tornado (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 14, 2004 | EF0 | 87 km | — | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: St. Michael (190 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| St. Michael | Shield(s) | 715 m (2,346 ft) | Unknown | 190 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST FORK (169,506 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | EAST FORK | 169,506 | 92 km |
| 2005 | TALBIKSOK | 82,041 | 25 km |
| 2015 | WHITEFISH LAKE 1 | 70,979 | 74 km |
| 2015 | KUKA CREEK 4 | 70,232 | 93 km |
| 2015 | NORTH ANIAK | 57,410 | 92 km |
| 2006 | NAGEETHLUK RIVER | 56,332 | 52 km |
| 2015 | STUYAHOK RIVER | 45,239 | 62 km |
| 2015 | OWHAT RIVER | 40,921 | 99 km |
| 2015 | FOG RIVER | 39,019 | 99 km |
| 2015 | OPHIR CREEK | 31,489 | 98 km |
| 2015 | BOGUS CREEK | 26,393 | 89 km |
| 2016 | KUYUKUTUK RIVER | 20,099 | 32 km |
| 2009 | ALLMAN LAKE | 17,514 | 63 km |
| 2015 | HAWK RIVER | 15,566 | 69 km |
| 1984 | KUYUKUTUK | 8,479 | 30 km |
| 1991 | 132687 | 7,749 | 97 km |
| 2016 | ISRATHORAK CREEK | 6,179 | 56 km |
| 2009 | NAGEETHLUK RIVER | 5,852 | 44 km |
| 2019 | KUYUKUTUK RIVER | 5,175 | 28 km |
| 2005 | STUYAHOK | 4,741 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°F (-14°C) | 0.7 in | |
| February | 6°F (-14°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 41°F (5°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | |
| July | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 53°F (12°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| September | 45°F (7°C) | 2.5 in | |
| October | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 7°F (-14°C) | 1.1 in |
Russian Mission has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 6°F in February to 56°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (0.6").