Weather & Climate in Steele Creek, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Steele Creek has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 31°F (-0°C). Winters average 4°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 15.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 53.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. 58% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,174 feet.
Temperature
4°F Jan (-16°C)
60°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 31.2°F |
| 42% below US avg | |
| January Average | 4°F (-16°C) |
| July Average | 60°F (15°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,174 ft (358 m) |
| Area | 92.8 sq mi (240.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 63/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 64.9256°N, 147.4351°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Fairbanks North Star Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 15 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 58.2% |
| Unhealthy Days | 25 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,245 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.
| Oct 6, 1995 | 36 km E of Minto, Alaska | M6.0 | 60 km | 9 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 4 km SW of Salcha, Alaska | M5.3 | 53 km | 11 km |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 14 km E of Minto, Alaska | M5.2 | 79 km | 17 km |
| Nov 1, 1992 | 30 km W of Ferry, Alaska | M5.0 | 149 km | 147 km |
| Jan 7, 1990 | 22 km NNE of Four Mile Road, Alaska | M4.9 | 70 km | 20 km |
| Jan 7, 1990 | 16 km SE of Minto, Alaska | M4.9 | 78 km | 20 km |
| Feb 26, 2013 | 13 km NW of Ferry, Alaska | M4.9 | 129 km | 139 km |
| Nov 18, 1995 | 59 km SW of Harding-Birch Lakes, Alaska | M4.8 | 97 km | 105 km |
| Jul 23, 2021 | 11 km NW of Harding-Birch Lakes, Alaska | M4.8 | 63 km | 10 km |
| Feb 17, 2007 | 41 km SW of Salcha, Alaska | M4.7 | 75 km | 14 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 79 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M4.7 | 149 km | 3 km |
| Apr 2, 2003 | 26 km SSE of Rampart, Alaska | M4.7 | 126 km | 16 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 78 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M4.7 | 149 km | 6 km |
| Mar 25, 2001 | Central Alaska | M4.6 | 92 km | 22 km |
| Dec 29, 1993 | 10 km S of Salcha, Alaska | M4.6 | 61 km | 8 km |
| Jan 19, 2018 | 7 km SE of Ferry, Alaska | M4.6 | 129 km | 129 km |
| Apr 11, 2019 | 15 km NNW of Four Mile Road, Alaska | M4.5 | 86 km | 20 km |
| Aug 25, 1995 | 26 km SSW of Ester, Alaska | M4.5 | 52 km | 14 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 75 km ESE of McKinley Park, Alaska | M4.5 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Jan 12, 1990 | 29 km SE of Minto, Alaska | M4.5 | 70 km | 19 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BOUNDARY (538,167 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | BOUNDARY | 538,167 | 44 km |
| 2004 | CENTRAL COMPLEX (WOLF CREEK) | 228,337 | 95 km |
| 2005 | BEAVER CREEK | 184,179 | 77 km |
| 2019 | HESS CREEK | 181,457 | 84 km |
| 2006 | PARKS HWY | 125,276 | 82 km |
| 2009 | WOOD RIVER 1 | 120,133 | 57 km |
| 2002 | MILEPOST 78 | 107,420 | 78 km |
| 2013 | STUART CREEK #2 | 87,981 | 39 km |
| 2001 | FISH CREEK | 83,362 | 90 km |
| 2021 | MUNSON CREEK | 54,099 | 73 km |
| 2012 | DRY CREEK | 49,047 | 40 km |
| 2015 | BLAIR | 37,977 | 77 km |
| 2022 | MINTO LAKES | 37,628 | 54 km |
| 2004 | TORS | 32,002 | 55 km |
| 2015 | AGGIE CREEK | 30,877 | 53 km |
| 2007 | LITTLE DELTA | 29,836 | 88 km |
| 2011 | HASTINGS | 25,402 | 42 km |
| 2002 | WEST FORK CHENA | 22,384 | 60 km |
| 2019 | SHOVEL CREEK | 22,128 | 41 km |
| 2019 | VICTORIA MOUNTAIN | 21,062 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°F (-16°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| April | 34°F (1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 44°F (7°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 7°F (-14°C) | 0.6 in |
Steele Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 4°F in January to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.9") and March the driest (0.5").