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Weather & Climate in Whale Pass, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Whale Pass has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 54°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 166 sunny days per year, below the national average of 205. Annual precipitation totals 82.3 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 355 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (1°C)
54°F Jul (12°C)
| Annual Average | 43.7°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| Sunny Days | 166 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 355 ft (108 m) |
| Area | 36.7 sq mi (94.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 3/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 56.0821°N, 133.0675°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Ketchikan International (KTN) 73 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
286 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.5.
| Jan 5, 2013 | 110 km SW of Edna Bay, Alaska | M7.5 | 147 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 2004 | 98 km WSW of Craig, Alaska | M6.8 | 145 km | 20 km |
| Jan 31, 2013 | 92 km SSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M5.9 | 139 km | 14 km |
| Jul 12, 2003 | 47 km SSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M5.9 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 2013 | 98 km SSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.9 | 143 km | 20 km |
| Mar 9, 2019 | Southeastern Alaska | M4.8 | 146 km | 28 km |
| Jan 5, 2013 | 79 km SSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.7 | 143 km | 20 km |
| Jan 5, 2013 | off the coast of Southeastern Alaska | M4.7 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 2013 | Southeastern Alaska | M4.7 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Jan 6, 2013 | 67 km SSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.5 | 138 km | 20 km |
| Jul 9, 2001 | 27 km W of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.5 | 126 km | 25 km |
| May 27, 2013 | 84 km SSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.4 | 136 km | 16 km |
| Jan 15, 2025 | 91 km S of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.4 | 131 km | 24 km |
| Jul 4, 2019 | 94 km SSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.3 | 147 km | 0 km |
| Jan 8, 2013 | 51 km WSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.3 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2013 | 60 km ENE of Thoms Place, Alaska | M4.3 | 117 km | 13 km |
| Feb 8, 2004 | 84 km SSW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.3 | 140 km | 17 km |
| Jan 9, 2013 | 98 km SW of Edna Bay, Alaska | M4.2 | 136 km | 20 km |
| Sep 7, 2004 | 71 km ENE of Wrangell, Alaska | M4.2 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Oct 23, 1995 | 44 km SW of Port Alexander, Alaska | M4.2 | 133 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 | — | 125 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Tlevak Strait-Suemez Is. (94 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Tlevak Strait-Suemez Is. | Volcanic field | 50 m (164 ft) | Unknown | 94 km |
| Hoodoo Mountain | Subglacial | 1,850 m (6,070 ft) | -7050 | 135 km |
| Iskut-Unuk River Cones | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,880 m (6,168 ft) | 1800 | 165 km |
| Edgecumbe | Stratovolcano(es) | 970 m (3,182 ft) | -2220 | 196 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (1°C) | 13.7 in | |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 11.2 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 10.2 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 8.9 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 8.0 in | |
| June | 53°F (12°C) | 6.4 in | |
| July | 54°F (12°C) | 6.3 in | Driest |
| August | 57°F (14°C) | 8.9 in | Warmest |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 14.1 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 21.3 in | Wettest |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 15.6 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 14.8 in | Coldest |
Whale Pass has a seasonal temperature swing of 23°F / from 33°F in December to 57°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 139.4 inches, with October being the wettest month (21.3") and July the driest (6.3").