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Weather & Climate in Shungnak, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shungnak has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 26°F (-3°C). Winters average -10°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 70°F. 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 13.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 77.2 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 113 feet.
Temperature
-10°F Jan (-23°C)
60°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 26.0°F |
| 52% below US avg | |
| January Average | -10°F (-23°C) |
| July Average | 60°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 113 ft (34 m) |
| Area | 9.9 sq mi (25.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 26/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 66.8805°N, 157.1500°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Northwest Arctic Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 299 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
593 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.2.
| Mar 6, 2019 | 64 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M5.2 | 63 km | 9 km |
| Mar 18, 2020 | 67 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M5.0 | 66 km | 9 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | northern Alaska | M5.0 | 64 km | 9 km |
| Feb 10, 2019 | 64 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.8 | 64 km | 8 km |
| Mar 13, 2025 | 89 km NNE of Ambler, Alaska | M4.8 | 105 km | 3 km |
| Apr 16, 2019 | 65 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.8 | 65 km | 9 km |
| Apr 23, 2019 | 67 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.6 | 67 km | 7 km |
| Jun 15, 2019 | 66 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.5 | 65 km | 6 km |
| Mar 22, 2010 | 58 km SSW of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.5 | 57 km | 21 km |
| Jul 2, 2019 | 68 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.5 | 68 km | 8 km |
| Apr 18, 1995 | 74 km E of Kobuk, Alaska | M4.5 | 86 km | 8 km |
| Mar 12, 2019 | 68 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.5 | 67 km | 8 km |
| Jun 4, 2009 | 57 km SSW of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.4 | 57 km | 29 km |
| Mar 27, 2019 | 64 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.4 | 63 km | 9 km |
| May 9, 2019 | 66 km S of Shungnak, Alaska | M4.4 | 65 km | 7 km |
| Aug 13, 1993 | 30 km ENE of Kobuk, Alaska | M4.4 | 43 km | 30 km |
| Sep 29, 2011 | 24 km N of Kobuk, Alaska | M4.3 | 29 km | 15 km |
| Apr 10, 1994 | 10 km SSE of Kobuk, Alaska | M4.3 | 18 km | 10 km |
| Oct 22, 1997 | 31 km NNW of Hughes, Alaska | M4.3 | 134 km | 16 km |
| Jan 4, 2006 | 80 km NW of Ambler, Alaska | M4.3 | 117 km | 23 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KERULU CREEK (41,024 acres, 2003).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2003 | KERULU CREEK | 41,024 | 79 km |
| 2016 | MAUNELUK RIVER 2 | 31,354 | 62 km |
| 1991 | HSL NNW 37 | 27,154 | 70 km |
| 2012 | HOGATZA RIVER | 23,739 | 98 km |
| 2017 | LOCKWOOD | 21,904 | 23 km |
| 2010 | KILIOVILIK CREEK | 20,911 | 35 km |
| 1986 | DCK SW 47 | 16,900 | 80 km |
| 2015 | SALMON RIVER | 15,183 | 94 km |
| 1994 | DCK SW 50 | 13,180 | 77 km |
| 1988 | DCK S 25 | 10,697 | 56 km |
| 2005 | HOLLY LAKES | 10,349 | 68 km |
| 2019 | MAUNELUK RIVER | 9,847 | 38 km |
| 2019 | LOCKWOOD HILLS | 8,946 | 80 km |
| 2015 | SELAWIK RIVER | 8,865 | 48 km |
| 1988 | 832061 | 8,656 | 94 km |
| 2005 | BEAVER CREEK | 7,379 | 80 km |
| 1992 | 232266 | 7,176 | 75 km |
| 1999 | PAH FLATS | 6,474 | 60 km |
| 2012 | NEKAKTE | 6,402 | 78 km |
| 2010 | RABBIT CREEK 2 | 5,971 | 44 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -10°F (-23°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | -6°F (-21°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 2°F (-17°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 39°F (4°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 60°F (16°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 53°F (12°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 42°F (6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 22°F (-5°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 5°F (-15°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.6 in |
Shungnak has a seasonal temperature swing of 70°F / from -10°F in January to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.2") and May the driest (0.4").