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Weather & Climate in Tonsina, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Tonsina has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 28°F (-2°C). Winters average -2°F in January while summers reach 57°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 13.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 71.8 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 3,664 feet.
Temperature
-2°F Jan (-19°C)
57°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 27.6°F |
| 49% below US avg | |
| January Average | -2°F (-19°C) |
| July Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,664 ft (1,117 m) |
| Area | 159.0 sq mi (411.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 0/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 61.5303°N, 145.1101°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Chugach Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 164 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 19.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Very Low |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,435 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.
| May 13, 1993 | 9 km ESE of Eureka Roadhouse, Alaska | M5.1 | 108 km | 50 km |
| Aug 25, 2004 | 48 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M5.1 | 70 km | 40 km |
| Jun 20, 2010 | 11 km SW of Tatitlek, Alaska | M4.8 | 124 km | 11 km |
| Apr 6, 2005 | 37 km NNW of Valdez, Alaska | M4.8 | 75 km | 17 km |
| Sep 24, 2022 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 26 km | 41 km |
| Jul 27, 1995 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 82 km | 29 km |
| Dec 25, 2012 | Southern Alaska | M4.7 | 126 km | 37 km |
| Jan 10, 1998 | 55 km S of Glacier View, Alaska | M4.7 | 139 km | 34 km |
| Oct 18, 1996 | 47 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M4.7 | 68 km | 40 km |
| Oct 25, 1993 | 49 km WNW of Tatitlek, Alaska | M4.6 | 141 km | 29 km |
| Jun 25, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Glacier View, Alaska | M4.6 | 144 km | 34 km |
| Sep 2, 1998 | 36 km WNW of Valdez, Alaska | M4.6 | 101 km | 25 km |
| May 2, 2000 | 34 km NNW of Valdez, Alaska | M4.6 | 83 km | 37 km |
| Apr 29, 1998 | 32 km NNE of Chitina, Alaska | M4.5 | 55 km | 33 km |
| Feb 15, 2009 | 49 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M4.5 | 65 km | 37 km |
| Apr 10, 2010 | Southern Alaska | M4.5 | 86 km | 44 km |
| Feb 15, 1990 | 35 km NE of Valdez, Alaska | M4.5 | 47 km | 32 km |
| Jun 20, 2013 | 15 km NNW of Glennallen, Alaska | M4.5 | 84 km | 23 km |
| Jul 9, 2022 | 9 km W of Tatitlek, Alaska | M4.4 | 119 km | 24 km |
| Jan 8, 2012 | 14 km WSW of Gulkana, Alaska | M4.4 | 84 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
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 | 138 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Wrangell (78 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Wrangell | Shield | 4,278 m (14,035 ft) | 1912 | 78 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TOKAINA 2 (14,741 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | TOKAINA 2 | 14,741 | 76 km |
| 2019 | CHETASLINA | 1,909 | 44 km |
| 2011 | GILAHINA | 1,244 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -2°F (-19°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 7°F (-14°C) | 1.4 in | |
| March | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| May | 39°F (4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 49°F (9°C) | 2.1 in | |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 50°F (10°C) | 2.0 in | |
| September | 41°F (5°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | |
| November | 9°F (-13°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 3°F (-16°C) | 1.7 in |
Tonsina has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from -2°F in January to 57°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.5") and April the driest (0.6").