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Weather & Climate in Utqiaġvik, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Utqiaġvik has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 14°F (-10°C). Winters average -12°F in January while summers reach 42°F in July. The area gets 275 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 5.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 45.8 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 34 feet.
Temperature
-12°F Jan (-24°C)
42°F Jul (5°C)
| Annual Average | 13.7°F |
| 75% below US avg | |
| January Average | -12°F (-24°C) |
| July Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 34 ft (10 m) |
| Area | 18.8 sq mi (48.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 258/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 71.2539°N, 156.7982°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | North Slope Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 500 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 14.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 3.2 / 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 Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Aug 13, 2014 | 20 km SSW of Barrow, Alaska | M3.5 | 16 km | 9 km |
| Mar 28, 2008 | 54 km NNW of Wainwright, Alaska | M3.4 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Apr 27, 1991 | 72 km SE of Atqasuk, Alaska | M3.2 | 143 km | 33 km |
| Feb 14, 2010 | 39 km WNW of Barrow, Alaska | M3.0 | 42 km | 17 km |
| Mar 27, 2008 | 50 km NNW of Wainwright, Alaska | M2.9 | 133 km | 26 km |
| Feb 17, 2025 | 104 km NW of Barrow, Alaska | M2.9 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Oct 26, 2013 | 22 km NNW of Barrow, Alaska | M2.8 | 27 km | 5 km |
| Mar 28, 2008 | 16 km NNE of Wainwright, Alaska | M2.6 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Mar 28, 2008 | 32 km NNW of Wainwright, Alaska | M2.5 | 140 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -12°F (-24°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| February | -17°F (-27°C) | 0.1 in | Coldest |
| March | -14°F (-26°C) | 0.2 in | |
| April | -1°F (-18°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.1 in | |
| June | 37°F (3°C) | 0.3 in | |
| July | 42°F (5°C) | 0.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 41°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 33°F (0°C) | 0.8 in | |
| October | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in | |
| November | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.2 in | |
| December | -12°F (-25°C) | 0.1 in |
Utqiaġvik has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from -17°F in February to 42°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 4.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.1") and January the driest (0.1").