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Weather & Climate in South Lakes, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
South Lakes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 37°F (3°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 59°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 14.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.5 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 369 feet.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-10°C)
59°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 36.8°F |
| 32% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 59°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 369 ft (112 m) |
| Area | 7.8 sq mi (20.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 786/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 61.5876°N, 149.3155°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Anchorage Municipality County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 11.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 34.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7,521 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.3.
| May 1, 1991 | Central Alaska | M6.3 | 147 km | 115 km |
| May 31, 2021 | 73 km N of Chickaloon, Alaska | M6.1 | 111 km | 44 km |
| Dec 4, 2012 | 20 km ENE of Beluga, Alaska | M5.8 | 86 km | 64 km |
| Jun 24, 2015 | 46 km SW of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.8 | 140 km | 114 km |
| May 24, 1995 | 26 km SSW of Anchorage, Alaska | M5.5 | 78 km | 39 km |
| Sep 25, 2010 | 54 km NE of Chase, Alaska | M5.4 | 141 km | 84 km |
| Jun 22, 2009 | 36 km E of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.4 | 83 km | 65 km |
| Mar 8, 2000 | 33 km N of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.4 | 133 km | 98 km |
| Jul 4, 1996 | 33 km ESE of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.4 | 85 km | 54 km |
| Dec 2, 1992 | 29 km WNW of Susitna, Alaska | M5.4 | 89 km | 67 km |
| Apr 25, 1994 | 19 km NE of Nikiski, Alaska | M5.4 | 126 km | 49 km |
| Jul 22, 1999 | 13 km ESE of Eagle River, Alaska | M5.3 | 33 km | 39 km |
| Jul 28, 2011 | 8 km NE of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.3 | 116 km | 87 km |
| Feb 27, 2021 | 5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.3 | 44 km | 46 km |
| May 6, 1997 | 8 km NW of Knik-Fairview, Alaska | M5.3 | 21 km | 31 km |
| Feb 27, 2021 | 5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.3 | 44 km | 46 km |
| Sep 17, 2019 | 28 km NW of Susitna, Alaska | M5.2 | 84 km | 63 km |
| Apr 26, 1991 | 14 km WNW of Anchorage, Alaska | M5.2 | 58 km | 38 km |
| Feb 6, 2022 | 72 km S of Cantwell, Alaska | M5.2 | 133 km | 62 km |
| Dec 7, 1991 | 19 km E of Point Possession, Alaska | M5.2 | 89 km | 59 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 |
| Apr 19, 2024 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 51.8 m (170 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1964 | PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 51.8 m | 139 | 130 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Spurr (159 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Spurr | Stratovolcano | 3,374 m (11,070 ft) | 1992 | 159 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SU RIVER (7,050 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | SU RIVER | 7,050 | 62 km |
| 2015 | SOCKEYE | 6,538 | 48 km |
| 2019 | MCKINLEY | 3,436 | 59 km |
| 2010 | EKLUTNA | 1,941 | 34 km |
| 2019 | DESHKA LANDING | 1,285 | 47 km |
| 2002 | THURSDAY CREEK | 1,046 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-10°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 1.6 in | |
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| October | 34°F (1°C) | 1.7 in | |
| November | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 1.3 in |
South Lakes has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 15°F in January to 59°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.6 inches, with September being the wettest month (2.8") and April the driest (0.5").