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Weather & Climate in Sterling, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sterling has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 36°F (2°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. The area gets 269 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 23.1 inches (drier 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 256 feet.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-10°C)
58°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 35.7°F |
| 34% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 256 ft (78 m) |
| Area | 79.6 sq mi (206.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 87/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 60.5401°N, 150.8053°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Anchorage Municipality County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 52 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
9,491 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.
| Jul 9, 1998 | 73 km WNW of Ninilchik, Alaska | M6.1 | 112 km | 131 km |
| Nov 20, 1993 | 66 km ENE of Pedro Bay, Alaska | M5.9 | 135 km | 121 km |
| Jun 24, 2015 | 46 km SW of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.8 | 140 km | 114 km |
| May 10, 2014 | 23 km WNW of Happy Valley, Alaska | M5.8 | 94 km | 89 km |
| Dec 4, 2012 | 20 km ENE of Beluga, Alaska | M5.8 | 78 km | 64 km |
| May 5, 1999 | 30 km ESE of Port Graham, Alaska | M5.7 | 148 km | 73 km |
| Mar 2, 2017 | 48 km WNW of Nanwalek, Alaska | M5.6 | 148 km | 78 km |
| Jan 25, 2001 | 39 km WNW of Ninilchik, Alaska | M5.5 | 97 km | 83 km |
| Aug 13, 1990 | 13 km NW of Happy Valley, Alaska | M5.5 | 84 km | 72 km |
| May 24, 1995 | 26 km SSW of Anchorage, Alaska | M5.5 | 64 km | 39 km |
| Feb 10, 2004 | 6 km WNW of Nanwalek, Alaska | M5.5 | 147 km | 66 km |
| Apr 25, 1994 | 19 km NE of Nikiski, Alaska | M5.4 | 33 km | 49 km |
| Oct 17, 1996 | 70 km WNW of Happy Valley, Alaska | M5.4 | 127 km | 117 km |
| Dec 2, 1992 | 29 km WNW of Susitna, Alaska | M5.4 | 127 km | 67 km |
| Mar 19, 2023 | 19 km SSW of Anchor Point, Alaska | M5.4 | 120 km | 65 km |
| May 19, 2005 | 54 km W of Happy Valley, Alaska | M5.4 | 119 km | 96 km |
| Jul 4, 1996 | 33 km ESE of Skwentna, Alaska | M5.4 | 145 km | 54 km |
| Jul 22, 1999 | 13 km ESE of Eagle River, Alaska | M5.3 | 116 km | 39 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 44 km NW of Ninilchik, Alaska | M5.3 | 85 km | 85 km |
| Feb 27, 2021 | 5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.3 | 99 km | 46 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 | 90 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 60.0 m (197 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1967 | GREWINGK, AK | Meteorological | 60.0 m | — | 104 km |
| 2024 | PEDERSEN LAGOON, AK | Meteorological | 17.0 m | — | 89 km |
| 2022 | RESURRECTION BAY, AK | Meteorological | 0.1 m | — | 90 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Spurr (115 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Spurr | Stratovolcano | 3,374 m (11,070 ft) | 1992 | 115 km |
| Iliamna | Stratovolcano | 3,053 m (10,016 ft) | 1876 | 138 km |
| Augustine | Lava dome(s) | 1,252 m (4,108 ft) | 2006 | 196 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FUNNY RIVER (193,798 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | FUNNY RIVER | 193,798 | 25 km |
| 2019 | SWAN LAKE | 164,801 | 34 km |
| 2007 | CARIBOU HILLS | 46,686 | 61 km |
| 2005 | FOX CREEK WFU | 25,577 | 44 km |
| 2009 | SHANTA CREEK | 14,474 | 18 km |
| 2005 | KING COUNTY CREEK | 10,124 | 20 km |
| 1991 | POTHOLE | 8,769 | 45 km |
| 2015 | CARD STREET | 7,366 | 15 km |
| 2005 | TRACY AVE | 5,416 | 94 km |
| 2004 | GLACIER CREEK | 5,230 | 47 km |
| 2001 | KENAI LAKE | 3,319 | 75 km |
| 1994 | WINDY POINT | 2,689 | 47 km |
| 1987 | SKILAK 2 | 2,365 | 22 km |
| 2007 | SWAN LAKE | 1,986 | 26 km |
| 2014 | TYONEK | 1,668 | 64 km |
| 2017 | EAST FORK | 1,104 | 18 km |
| 2005 | IRISH CHANNEL | 1,067 | 38 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-10°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 2.2 in | |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 36°F (2°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 1.6 in | |
| July | 58°F (14°C) | 2.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| October | 35°F (2°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.7 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 3.2 in |
Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 15°F in January to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.2 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.8") and April the driest (1.3").