Weather & Climate in Sutton-Alpine, AK

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Sutton-Alpine has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 37°F (3°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 58°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 18.8 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 1,055 feet.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 58°F Jul (14°C)

Annual Average	36.5°F
	32% below US avg
January Average	16°F (-9°C)
July Average	58°F (14°C)
Sunny Days	274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,055 ft (322 m)
Area	58.0 sq mi (150.2 km²)
Population Density	24/sq mi
Coordinates	61.7414°N, 148.8742°W
Timezone	America/Anchorage
County	Anchorage Municipality County
Nearest Airport	Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 54 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.8"

51% below US avg

Wettest Month (Sep) 3.03"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.87"

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

7,150 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.

May 31, 2021	73 km N of Chickaloon, Alaska	M6.1	85 km	44 km
Dec 4, 2012	20 km ENE of Beluga, Alaska	M5.8	115 km	64 km
May 24, 1995	26 km SSW of Anchorage, Alaska	M5.5	105 km	39 km
Mar 8, 2000	33 km N of Skwentna, Alaska	M5.4	144 km	98 km
Dec 2, 1992	29 km WNW of Susitna, Alaska	M5.4	112 km	67 km
Jul 4, 1996	33 km ESE of Skwentna, Alaska	M5.4	103 km	54 km
Jun 22, 2009	36 km E of Skwentna, Alaska	M5.4	99 km	65 km
Sep 25, 2010	54 km NE of Chase, Alaska	M5.4	128 km	84 km
Feb 27, 2021	5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska	M5.3	73 km	46 km
Dec 28, 1990	49 km S of Cantwell, Alaska	M5.3	135 km	74 km
May 6, 1997	8 km NW of Knik-Fairview, Alaska	M5.3	49 km	31 km
Feb 27, 2021	5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska	M5.3	73 km	46 km
Jul 28, 2011	8 km NE of Skwentna, Alaska	M5.3	132 km	87 km
Jul 22, 1999	13 km ESE of Eagle River, Alaska	M5.3	55 km	39 km
Dec 7, 1991	19 km E of Point Possession, Alaska	M5.2	117 km	59 km
Apr 26, 1991	14 km WNW of Anchorage, Alaska	M5.2	87 km	38 km
Sep 17, 2019	28 km NW of Susitna, Alaska	M5.2	106 km	63 km
Feb 6, 2022	72 km S of Cantwell, Alaska	M5.2	112 km	62 km
Feb 6, 2002	7 km SSW of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska	M5.1	74 km	38 km
Aug 25, 2004	48 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska	M5.1	131 km	40 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	80 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	124 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Spurr (186 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Spurr	Stratovolcano	3,374 m (11,070 ft)	1992	186 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	74 km
2015	SOCKEYE	6,538	65 km
2019	MCKINLEY	3,436	67 km
2010	EKLUTNA	1,941	47 km
2019	DESHKA LANDING	1,285	69 km
2002	THURSDAY CREEK	1,046	93 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	16°F (-9°C)	1.2 in
February	17°F (-8°C)	1.1 in
March	21°F (-6°C)	1.0 in
April	30°F (-1°C)	0.9 in	Driest
May	41°F (5°C)	1.1 in
June	48°F (9°C)	2.1 in
July	58°F (14°C)	2.7 in	Warmest
August	49°F (9°C)	2.8 in
September	42°F (6°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
October	29°F (-1°C)	2.0 in
November	18°F (-8°C)	1.5 in
December	16°F (-9°C)	1.5 in	Coldest

Sutton-Alpine has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 16°F in December to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.0") and April the driest (0.9").

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