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Weather & Climate in Valdez, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Valdez has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 57°F in July. The area gets 166 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 67.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 325.3 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.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
57°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 39.7°F |
| 26% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 166 days/yr |
Geography
| Area | 212.9 sq mi (551.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 18/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 61.0836°N, 146.3172°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Chugach Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 123 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
2,075 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.
| Mar 1, 2000 | 40 km S of Cordova, Alaska | M5.4 | 102 km | 10 km |
| Jun 6, 1995 | 48 km SW of Cordova, Alaska | M5.3 | 92 km | 15 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 9 km ESE of Eureka Roadhouse, Alaska | M5.1 | 98 km | 50 km |
| Aug 25, 2004 | 48 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M5.1 | 56 km | 40 km |
| Feb 17, 1995 | 4 km N of Chickaloon, Alaska | M5.0 | 141 km | 9 km |
| Feb 27, 2000 | 39 km SSW of Cordova, Alaska | M5.0 | 100 km | 18 km |
| Jan 25, 2021 | 36 km SSW of Cordova, Alaska | M4.9 | 97 km | 2 km |
| Feb 25, 2002 | 42 km SW of Tatitlek, Alaska | M4.9 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2012 | 41 km NE of Chenega, Alaska | M4.8 | 105 km | 1 km |
| Sep 24, 2022 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 60 km | 41 km |
| Apr 6, 2005 | 37 km NNW of Valdez, Alaska | M4.8 | 43 km | 17 km |
| Jun 20, 2010 | 11 km SW of Tatitlek, Alaska | M4.8 | 43 km | 11 km |
| Jul 27, 1995 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 45 km | 29 km |
| Jan 13, 2005 | 49 km NNE of Chenega, Alaska | M4.7 | 97 km | 23 km |
| Jan 10, 1998 | 55 km S of Glacier View, Alaska | M4.7 | 77 km | 34 km |
| Oct 18, 1996 | 47 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M4.7 | 59 km | 40 km |
| Dec 25, 2012 | Southern Alaska | M4.7 | 65 km | 37 km |
| Aug 18, 1998 | 35 km E of Knik River, Alaska | M4.7 | 113 km | 12 km |
| Sep 21, 1990 | 6 km NNW of Chickaloon, Alaska | M4.6 | 144 km | 56 km |
| Jun 25, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Glacier View, Alaska | M4.6 | 117 km | 34 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis 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 | 58 km |
| 1925 | GULF OF ALASKA, AK | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.4 m | - | 122 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Wrangell (159 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Wrangell | Shield | 4,278 m (14,035 ft) | 1912 | 159 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TOKAINA 2 (14,741 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | TOKAINA 2 | 14,741 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 2.4 in | |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 2.2 in | |
| March | 22°F (-5°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.9 in | Driest |
| May | 40°F (4°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 48°F (9°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 52°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| October | 32°F (0°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest |
Valdez has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 17°F in December to 57°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.5 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.5") and April the driest (1.9").