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Weather & Climate in Whittier, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Whittier has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 28°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 197.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 268.2 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 47 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
57°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 41.1°F |
| 24% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 166 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 47 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 12.3 sq mi (31.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 38/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 60.7773°N, 148.6637°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Anchorage Municipality County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 52 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 21.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 11.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 34.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Tsunami | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5,019 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Dec 4, 2012 | 20 km ENE of Beluga, Alaska | M5.8 | 125 km | 64 km |
| May 24, 1995 | 26 km SSW of Anchorage, Alaska | M5.5 | 83 km | 39 km |
| Apr 25, 1994 | 19 km NE of Nikiski, Alaska | M5.4 | 128 km | 49 km |
| Jun 6, 1995 | 48 km SW of Cordova, Alaska | M5.3 | 136 km | 15 km |
| May 6, 1997 | 8 km NW of Knik-Fairview, Alaska | M5.3 | 104 km | 31 km |
| Feb 27, 2021 | 5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.3 | 91 km | 46 km |
| Jul 22, 1999 | 13 km ESE of Eagle River, Alaska | M5.3 | 67 km | 39 km |
| Feb 27, 2021 | 5 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.3 | 91 km | 46 km |
| Dec 7, 1991 | 19 km E of Point Possession, Alaska | M5.2 | 92 km | 59 km |
| Apr 26, 1991 | 14 km WNW of Anchorage, Alaska | M5.2 | 96 km | 38 km |
| Jun 16, 2011 | 14 km NE of Nikiski, Alaska | M5.1 | 131 km | 59 km |
| Aug 19, 2009 | 15 km NE of Beluga, Alaska | M5.1 | 128 km | 66 km |
| Feb 6, 2002 | 7 km SSW of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska | M5.1 | 73 km | 38 km |
| May 18, 1993 | 16 km WNW of Hope, Alaska | M5.1 | 71 km | 44 km |
| Sep 27, 1998 | 6 km NNW of Knik-Fairview, Alaska | M5.0 | 103 km | 35 km |
| Jan 1, 2019 | 7 km SSE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.0 | 90 km | 44 km |
| Mar 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.0 | 95 km | 39 km |
| Jan 13, 2019 | 8 km SW of Point MacKenzie, Alaska | M5.0 | 95 km | 45 km |
| Feb 6, 2002 | 10 km SSW of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska | M5.0 | 72 km | 37 km |
| Aug 6, 2002 | 16 km SSE of Susitna, Alaska | M5.0 | 115 km | 56 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
1 tornado (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2024 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
3 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 | 73 km |
| 2024 | PEDERSEN LAGOON, AK | Meteorological | 17.0 m | — | 116 km |
| 2022 | RESURRECTION BAY, AK | Meteorological | 0.1 m | — | 87 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SWAN LAKE (164,801 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | SWAN LAKE | 164,801 | 86 km |
| 1991 | POTHOLE | 8,769 | 85 km |
| 2001 | KENAI LAKE | 3,319 | 59 km |
| 2010 | EKLUTNA | 1,941 | 63 km |
| 2005 | IRISH CHANNEL | 1,067 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.7 in | |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 33°F (1°C) | 1.7 in | Driest |
| May | 41°F (5°C) | 2.0 in | |
| June | 47°F (8°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 51°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| October | 34°F (1°C) | 4.8 in | |
| November | 26°F (-3°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 3.2 in |
Whittier has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 24°F in February to 57°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.8 inches, with September being the wettest month (5.2") and April the driest (1.7").