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Weather & Climate in Thorne Bay, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Thorne Bay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. The area gets 166 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 85.2 inches (wetter 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 146 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
58°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 44.3°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 166 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 146 ft (45 m) |
| Area | 29.6 sq mi (76.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 18/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 55.6670°N, 132.5357°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Ketchikan International (KTN) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 1.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 92.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 44.4 / 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 | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
90 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.8.
| Jun 28, 2004 | 98 km WSW of Craig, Alaska | M6.8 | 143 km | 20 km |
| Jul 12, 2003 | 47 km SSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M5.9 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Jan 15, 2025 | 91 km S of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.4 | 146 km | 24 km |
| Apr 29, 2013 | 60 km ENE of Thoms Place, Alaska | M4.3 | 112 km | 13 km |
| Sep 7, 2004 | 71 km ENE of Wrangell, Alaska | M4.2 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2013 | 98 km SW of Edna Bay, Alaska | M4.2 | 147 km | 20 km |
| Jan 5, 2013 | 102 km WSW of Craig, Alaska | M4.0 | 145 km | 20 km |
| Jan 7, 2013 | 95 km SW of Edna Bay, Alaska | M4.0 | 146 km | 20 km |
| Nov 8, 2009 | 29 km S of Hydaburg, Alaska | M3.9 | 82 km | 15 km |
| Jun 28, 2004 | 105 km WSW of Craig, Alaska | M3.5 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 2013 | 94 km SW of Edna Bay, Alaska | M3.5 | 145 km | 20 km |
| Oct 5, 2013 | 97 km SW of Edna Bay, Alaska | M3.4 | 145 km | 3 km |
| Nov 6, 2013 | 60 km SSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M3.3 | 144 km | 15 km |
| Jun 29, 2004 | 74 km SW of Craig, Alaska | M3.3 | 118 km | 18 km |
| Nov 2, 1997 | 12 km SSE of Kasaan, Alaska | M3.3 | 29 km | 0 km |
| Apr 6, 2010 | 34 km SW of Craig, Alaska | M3.3 | 78 km | 18 km |
| May 4, 2011 | 99 km WSW of Craig, Alaska | M3.3 | 144 km | 10 km |
| Nov 8, 2009 | 34 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M3.2 | 85 km | 10 km |
| Jan 5, 2013 | 90 km SW of Edna Bay, Alaska | M3.2 | 143 km | 20 km |
| Feb 21, 1992 | 17 km SE of Port Alexander, Alaska | M3.2 | 130 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.5 m (5 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2013 | SE. ALASKA, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.5 m | — | 137 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Tlevak Strait-Suemez Is. (67 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Tlevak Strait-Suemez Is. | Volcanic field | 50 m (164 ft) | Unknown | 67 km |
| Hoodoo Mountain | Subglacial | 1,850 m (6,070 ft) | -7050 | 146 km |
| Iskut-Unuk River Cones | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,880 m (6,168 ft) | 1800 | 160 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 12.6 in | |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 10.5 in | Coldest |
| March | 35°F (1°C) | 9.7 in | |
| April | 40°F (4°C) | 8.9 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 7.6 in | |
| June | 52°F (11°C) | 6.2 in | |
| July | 58°F (15°C) | 6.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 56°F (13°C) | 8.4 in | |
| September | 51°F (11°C) | 12.5 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 19.5 in | Wettest |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 14.6 in | |
| December | 32°F (0°C) | 13.8 in |
Thorne Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 32°F in February to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 130.4 inches, with October being the wettest month (19.5") and July the driest (6.0").