All Countries
Weather & Climate in Willow Creek, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Willow Creek has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 28°F (-2°C). Winters average -2°F in January while summers reach 57°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 13.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 71.8 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 1,441 feet.
Temperature
-2°F Jan (-19°C)
57°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 27.6°F |
| 49% below US avg | |
| January Average | -2°F (-19°C) |
| July Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,441 ft (439 m) |
| Area | 37.9 sq mi (98.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 3/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 61.8302°N, 145.1986°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Chugach Census Area County |
| Nearest Airport | Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) 165 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
1,912 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 45 km WNW of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M5.4 | 139 km | 0 km |
| Feb 13, 2017 | 20 km NE of Nabesna, Alaska | M5.3 | 148 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2004 | 48 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M5.1 | 70 km | 40 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 3 km ENE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M5.1 | 145 km | 5 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 9 km ESE of Eureka Roadhouse, Alaska | M5.1 | 95 km | 50 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 17 km ESE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M5.1 | 146 km | 13 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 16 km WNW of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M5.0 | 142 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 21 km N of Nabesna, Alaska | M5.0 | 142 km | 1 km |
| Nov 3, 2002 | 13 km SSE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M4.9 | 134 km | 3 km |
| Nov 5, 2002 | 15 km SE of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M4.8 | 140 km | 8 km |
| Jul 27, 1995 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 87 km | 29 km |
| Jun 20, 2010 | 11 km SW of Tatitlek, Alaska | M4.8 | 145 km | 11 km |
| Sep 24, 2022 | Southern Alaska | M4.8 | 43 km | 41 km |
| Apr 6, 2005 | 37 km NNW of Valdez, Alaska | M4.8 | 81 km | 17 km |
| Nov 5, 2002 | Central Alaska | M4.8 | 143 km | 1 km |
| Oct 18, 1996 | 47 km SSE of Nelchina, Alaska | M4.7 | 67 km | 40 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 41 km WNW of Mentasta Lake, Alaska | M4.7 | 146 km | 6 km |
| Dec 25, 2012 | Southern Alaska | M4.7 | 132 km | 37 km |
| Jan 10, 1998 | 55 km S of Glacier View, Alaska | M4.7 | 143 km | 34 km |
| Nov 4, 2002 | 48 km E of Paxson, Alaska | M4.7 | 147 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Wrangell (65 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Wrangell | Shield | 4,278 m (14,035 ft) | 1912 | 65 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TOKAINA 2 (14,741 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | TOKAINA 2 | 14,741 | 61 km |
| 2013 | EXCELSIOR | 6,230 | 97 km |
| 2016 | YOKNEDA LAKE | 2,866 | 81 km |
| 2019 | CHETASLINA | 1,909 | 34 km |
| 1995 | BILLY LAKE | 1,583 | 81 km |
| 2011 | GILAHINA | 1,244 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 5°F (-15°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| May | 41°F (5°C) | 0.6 in | |
| June | 51°F (10°C) | 1.8 in | |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 52°F (11°C) | 1.5 in | |
| September | 42°F (6°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 9°F (-13°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 1°F (-17°C) | 1.3 in |
Willow Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from -2°F in January to 57°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.1") and April the driest (0.4").