All Countries
Weather & Climate in Shishmaref, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shishmaref has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 23°F (-5°C). Winters average -1°F in January while summers reach 51°F in July. 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 9.7 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 6 feet.
Temperature
-1°F Jan (-18°C)
51°F Jul (11°C)
| Annual Average | 22.7°F |
| 58% below US avg | |
| January Average | -1°F (-18°C) |
| July Average | 51°F (11°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 7.3 sq mi (18.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 200/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 66.2330°N, 166.1253°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Nome Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 530 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.1 / 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 High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
339 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.0.
| May 21, 2011 | 12 km N of Port Clarence, Alaska | M5.0 | 101 km | 20 km |
| Jul 9, 2016 | 44 km NNE of Brevig Mission, Alaska | M4.8 | 59 km | 27 km |
| Jun 18, 2000 | 79 km NW of White Mountain, Alaska | M4.7 | 135 km | 25 km |
| Sep 16, 1996 | 84 km WSW of Kivalina, Alaska | M4.6 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Feb 16, 2025 | 33 km SW of Wales, Alaska | M4.6 | 146 km | 14 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 26 km SSW of Wales, Alaska | M4.6 | 137 km | 25 km |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 65 km NE of Teller, Alaska | M4.5 | 78 km | 11 km |
| May 13, 2010 | 37 km NNW of Brevig Mission, Alaska | M4.4 | 68 km | 10 km |
| Apr 25, 2014 | 6 km E of Brevig Mission, Alaska | M4.4 | 101 km | 0 km |
| Aug 27, 1996 | 43 km E of Teller, Alaska | M4.4 | 119 km | 10 km |
| Oct 22, 2003 | 34 km ESE of Wales, Alaska | M4.4 | 105 km | 9 km |
| May 21, 1997 | 15 km NNW of Port Clarence, Alaska | M4.3 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Jan 11, 2022 | 68 km WSW of Kivalina, Alaska | M4.3 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Jul 17, 2016 | 43 km NNE of Brevig Mission, Alaska | M4.2 | 61 km | 20 km |
| Mar 2, 2013 | 88 km S of Point Hope, Alaska | M4.2 | 149 km | 7 km |
| May 18, 2008 | 65 km NW of Deering, Alaska | M4.1 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Jun 29, 2017 | 36 km S of Wales, Alaska | M4.1 | 137 km | 25 km |
| Jul 3, 2019 | 49 km S of Shishmaref, Alaska | M4.1 | 46 km | 23 km |
| Feb 4, 2025 | 29 km SW of Wales, Alaska | M4.0 | 142 km | 13 km |
| Mar 13, 2025 | 55 km E of Teller, Alaska | M4.0 | 124 km | 12 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Imuruk Lake (145 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Imuruk Lake | Shield(s) | 610 m (2,001 ft) | 300 | 145 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PISH RIVER (NORTH AND SOUTH) (3,078 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | PISH RIVER (NORTH AND SOUTH) | 3,078 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1°F (-18°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | -1°F (-18°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 2°F (-17°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| April | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| June | 40°F (4°C) | 0.7 in | |
| July | 51°F (11°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 49°F (9°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| September | 42°F (6°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 4°F (-16°C) | 0.8 in |
Shishmaref has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from -1°F in January to 51°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.4") and March the driest (0.6").