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Weather & Climate in Wales, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wales has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 28°F (-2°C). Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 52°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 17.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 80.8 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 177 feet.
Temperature
6°F Jan (-15°C)
52°F Jul (11°C)
| Annual Average | 28.0°F |
| 48% below US avg | |
| January Average | 6°F (-15°C) |
| July Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 177 ft (54 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 128/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 65.6132°N, 168.0683°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI) 586 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Earthquake History
287 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.2.
| Nov 3, 1996 | 89 km SSE of Lavrentiya, Russia | M5.2 | 144 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 1996 | 73 km SE of Lavrentiya, Russia | M5.2 | 106 km | 10 km |
| May 21, 2011 | 12 km N of Port Clarence, Alaska | M5.0 | 62 km | 20 km |
| Aug 9, 1996 | 93 km SE of Lavrentiya, Russia | M4.9 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Jul 10, 2006 | 30 km W of Diomede, Alaska | M4.9 | 73 km | 10 km |
| Jul 9, 2016 | 44 km NNE of Brevig Mission, Alaska | M4.8 | 89 km | 27 km |
| Nov 25, 2000 | 107 km NW of Diomede, Alaska | M4.6 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Feb 16, 2025 | 33 km SW of Wales, Alaska | M4.6 | 34 km | 14 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 26 km SSW of Wales, Alaska | M4.6 | 27 km | 25 km |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 65 km NE of Teller, Alaska | M4.5 | 129 km | 11 km |
| Jul 8, 2006 | 57 km NE of Lavrentiya, Russia | M4.5 | 103 km | 3 km |
| Apr 25, 2014 | 6 km E of Brevig Mission, Alaska | M4.4 | 85 km | 0 km |
| Aug 9, 1996 | 87 km SE of Lavrentiya, Russia | M4.4 | 109 km | 10 km |
| May 13, 2010 | 37 km NNW of Brevig Mission, Alaska | M4.4 | 63 km | 10 km |
| Aug 27, 1996 | 43 km E of Teller, Alaska | M4.4 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Oct 22, 2003 | 34 km ESE of Wales, Alaska | M4.4 | 34 km | 9 km |
| May 21, 1997 | 15 km NNW of Port Clarence, Alaska | M4.3 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 1999 | 47 km S of Lavrentiya, Russia | M4.3 | 139 km | 1 km |
| Jul 17, 2016 | 43 km NNE of Brevig Mission, Alaska | M4.2 | 91 km | 20 km |
| Apr 7, 2010 | 50 km SSE of Lavrentiya, Russia | M4.2 | 130 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°F (-15°C) | 0.7 in | |
| February | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in | |
| June | 38°F (3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 52°F (11°C) | 1.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 46°F (8°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| September | 40°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 6°F (-14°C) | 0.7 in |
Wales has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from -2°F in February to 52°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.5").