Weather & Climate in Wrangell, AK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wrangell has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 85.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 585 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
58°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 44.9°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (14°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 585 ft (178 m) |
| Area | 3,462.1 sq mi (8,966.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 56.1808°N, 132.0268°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | Wrangell City and Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Ketchikan International (KTN) 58 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 0.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 67.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 31.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | No Rating |
| Strong Wind | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
26 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Apr 29, 2013 | 60 km ENE of Thoms Place, Alaska | M4.3 | 52 km | 13 km |
| Sep 7, 2004 | 71 km ENE of Wrangell, Alaska | M4.2 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Nov 8, 2009 | 29 km S of Hydaburg, Alaska | M3.9 | 146 km | 15 km |
| Jan 6, 2012 | 74 km NE of Petersburg, Alaska | M3.5 | 112 km | 1 km |
| Aug 11, 2005 | 66 km ENE of Petersburg, Alaska | M3.4 | 95 km | 16 km |
| Apr 6, 2010 | 34 km SW of Craig, Alaska | M3.3 | 139 km | 18 km |
| Nov 2, 1997 | 12 km SSE of Kasaan, Alaska | M3.3 | 86 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 2009 | 34 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M3.2 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Feb 21, 1992 | 17 km SE of Port Alexander, Alaska | M3.2 | 150 km | 10 km |
| Jan 18, 2008 | 17 km E of Hyder, Alaska | M3.1 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Apr 12, 2019 | 22 km WNW of Hyder, Alaska | M3.0 | 105 km | 8 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 47 km ESE of Hobart Bay, Alaska | M3.0 | 138 km | 3 km |
| Jan 18, 2008 | 11 km N of Hyder, Alaska | M2.9 | 124 km | 16 km |
| Apr 4, 2023 | 34 km E of Petersburg, Alaska | M2.8 | 80 km | 7 km |
| Mar 14, 2015 | Southeastern Alaska | M2.8 | 148 km | 1 km |
| May 12, 2016 | 20 km NW of Hyder, Alaska | M2.8 | 112 km | 4 km |
| May 7, 2004 | 48 km ENE of Wrangell, Alaska | M2.8 | 56 km | 6 km |
| Nov 9, 2009 | 25 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M2.8 | 141 km | 15 km |
| Sep 11, 2015 | 5 km SE of Hyder, Alaska | M2.8 | 133 km | 11 km |
| Nov 8, 2009 | 29 km SSE of Hydaburg, Alaska | M2.7 | 140 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Hoodoo Mountain (81 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Hoodoo Mountain | Subglacial | 1,850 m (6,070 ft) | -7050 | 81 km |
| Iskut-Unuk River Cones | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,880 m (6,168 ft) | 1800 | 101 km |
| Tlevak Strait-Suemez Is. | Volcanic field | 50 m (164 ft) | Unknown | 131 km |
| Spectrum Range | Shield | 2,430 m (7,972 ft) | Unknown | 161 km |
| Edziza | Stratovolcano | 2,786 m (9,140 ft) | 950 | 191 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 8.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 5.5 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 6.3 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 5.1 in | |
| May | 51°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 58°F (14°C) | 5.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 58°F (14°C) | 7.0 in | |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 8.6 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 12.1 in | Wettest |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 10.5 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 9.1 in |
Wrangell has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 33°F in January to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 85.2 inches, with October being the wettest month (12.1") and May the driest (3.5").