Weather & Climate in Skagway, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Skagway has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 25.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 2,052 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
58°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 42.7°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (15°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,052 ft (625 m) |
| Area | 9.5 sq mi (24.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 128/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 59.4644°N, 135.2757°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Skagway Municipality County |
| Nearest Airport | Juneau International (JNU) 81 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 0.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 51.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 16.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very 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 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
719 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.3.
| May 1, 2017 | 48 km NW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M6.3 | 90 km | 3 km |
| May 1, 2017 | 47 km NW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M6.2 | 90 km | 10 km |
| May 1, 2017 | 42 km NW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M5.7 | 86 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 2007 | 59 km WSW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M5.7 | 104 km | 10 km |
| May 1, 2017 | 41 km NW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M5.6 | 84 km | 4 km |
| Jul 11, 1990 | 27 km WSW of Covenant Life, Alaska | M5.5 | 69 km | 10 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 63 km SW of Covenant Life, Alaska | M5.2 | 99 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2017 | 57 km NW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M5.0 | 99 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2017 | 43 km NW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M5.0 | 86 km | 12 km |
| Jun 7, 2009 | 66 km NNW of Elfin Cove, Alaska | M5.0 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2017 | 54 km NW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M5.0 | 96 km | 7 km |
| Sep 1, 2019 | 64 km WSW of Covenant Life, Alaska | M5.0 | 104 km | 10 km |
| May 1, 2017 | 38 km NW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M4.9 | 81 km | 11 km |
| May 1, 2017 | 37 km NW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M4.8 | 81 km | 10 km |
| May 4, 2017 | 45 km NW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M4.7 | 88 km | 10 km |
| Aug 4, 2004 | 26 km WSW of Covenant Life, Alaska | M4.7 | 69 km | 2 km |
| Sep 11, 1999 | 56 km SSE of Haines Junction, Canada | M4.6 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 1997 | 45 km NNW of Gustavus, Alaska | M4.5 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Jul 8, 2021 | 30 km SSW of Covenant Life, Alaska | M4.4 | 65 km | 7 km |
| May 1, 2017 | 49 km NW of Mosquito Lake, Alaska | M4.3 | 90 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
5 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 524.6 m (1,721 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1958 | SE. ALASKA, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 524.6 m | 5 | 146 km |
| 1936 | LITUYA BAY, AK | Meteorological | 149.4 m | - | 142 km |
| 1994 | SKAGWAY, AK | Meteorological | 9.0 m | 1 | 4 km |
| 1907 | SKAGWAY, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 0.7 m | - | 13 km |
| 2017 | SKAGWAY, AK | Earthquake | 0.1 m | - | 90 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Alligator Lake (107 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Alligator Lake | Volcanic field | 2,217 m (7,274 ft) | Unknown | 107 km |
| Atlin Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,880 m (6,168 ft) | Unknown | 113 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 58°F (15°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 57°F (14°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| October | 44°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.8 in |
Skagway has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 27°F in January to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.2 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.9") and May the driest (1.1").