Bethel Census Area Climate
Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Avg Annual Temp
31.4°F
Annual Precip
19.7"
Annual Snowfall
64.0"
Extreme Heat Days
0
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
Climate Profile
About Bethel Census Area Weather
A True Subarctic Interior
Bethel averages just 31.4°F annually, placing it among the coldest regions in the United States. This temperature is far below the national median and reflects a landscape dominated by permafrost and long winters.
Colder Than the State Baseline
The census area's 31.4°F annual average is significantly lower than the 35.9°F state average for Alaska. It experiences much harsher winter conditions than the coastal southern boroughs.
Harsher Winters Than Bristol Bay
Bethel is much colder than its neighbor, Bristol Bay Borough, which averages 36.5°F annually. Bethel's January average of 6.9°F is nearly 10 degrees colder than Bristol Bay's 16.6°F.
Extreme Cold and Low Humidity
Winters are brutal with a December-February average of 10.1°F and 64 inches of snow. Summers are brief and cool, with July averaging 56.3°F and no recorded days of extreme heat over 90°F.
Invest in Extreme Cold Gear
Living here requires specialized cold-weather gear rated for sub-zero temperatures. Because the area only receives 19.7 inches of annual precipitation, wind protection is often more critical than waterproof layering.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020.
Climate normals are 30-year averages of weather variables computed from 1991 to 2020. Station data is aggregated to county level using spatial averaging. Data is informational only — not a substitute for official National Weather Service forecasts or emergency weather warnings.