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Weather & Climate in Sitka, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sitka has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 33°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 102.1 inches (wetter 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 35 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
55°F Jul (13°C)
| Annual Average | 43.3°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| Sunny Days | 166 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Area | 2,870.1 sq mi (7,433.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 3/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 57.1932°N, 135.3674°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Sitka City and Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Juneau International (JNU) 85 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 23.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 55.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 80.9 / 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 High |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
141 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 | 130 km | 1 km |
| Jan 12, 2024 | 69 km WNW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M5.9 | 87 km | 11 km |
| Dec 16, 1998 | 39 km SW of Sitka, Alaska | M4.6 | 52 km | 12 km |
| Jan 6, 2000 | 30 km WSW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.6 | 128 km | 1 km |
| Jan 16, 2017 | 30 km W of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.5 | 138 km | 13 km |
| Jan 14, 2022 | 56 km SSW of Pelican, Alaska | M4.5 | 73 km | 14 km |
| Jul 9, 2001 | 27 km W of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.5 | 108 km | 25 km |
| Sep 26, 2013 | 72 km WSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.4 | 145 km | 3 km |
| Jan 8, 2013 | 51 km WSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.3 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Oct 23, 1995 | 44 km SW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.2 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Oct 19, 1999 | 42 km WSW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.2 | 131 km | 0 km |
| Jan 6, 2000 | 26 km WSW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.1 | 134 km | 0 km |
| Jan 16, 2017 | 28 km W of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.1 | 140 km | 11 km |
| Jan 5, 2013 | 42 km SW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.0 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 1991 | 34 km W of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M4.0 | 141 km | -3 km |
| Aug 27, 1998 | 26 km SW of Pelican, Alaska | M3.9 | 93 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 1993 | 62 km WSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M3.9 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Jan 5, 2013 | 58 km SW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M3.9 | 140 km | 21 km |
| Sep 20, 1990 | 70 km WSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M3.9 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Jul 22, 2003 | 40 km S of Pelican, Alaska | M3.9 | 72 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.4 m (8 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1917 | TAKU INLET, JUNEAU, AK | Meteorological | 2.4 m | 1 | 134 km |
| 1880 | SITKA, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.8 m | — | 44 km |
| 1972 | SE. ALASKA, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 46 km |
| 1927 | SE. ALASKA, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 69 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Edgecumbe (28 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Edgecumbe | Stratovolcano(es) | 970 m (3,182 ft) | -2220 | 28 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 9.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 7.2 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 6.6 in | |
| April | 40°F (4°C) | 5.4 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 5.1 in | |
| June | 51°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | Driest |
| July | 55°F (13°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 6.9 in | |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 11.9 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 14.8 in | Wettest |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 10.5 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 9.7 in |
Sitka has a seasonal temperature swing of 22°F / from 33°F in January to 55°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 96.2 inches, with October being the wettest month (14.8") and June the driest (4.1").