Climate Comfort Score
37/100
Below Average
2026 data Public-data reference. official source
30-year climate normals from 1 weather station (1991-2020).
Bethel, Alaska has an average annual temperature of 31°F and a climate comfort score of 37/100 (Below Average). Annual precipitation totals 19.7", including 64.0" of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year normals (1991–2020).
Avg Temperature
31°F (0°C)
Avg High
38°F
Avg Low
24°F
Annual Precip
19.7"
Annual Snow
64.0"
Comfort Score
37/100
Below Average
Avg Annual Temperature
31°F
30-year mean (NOAA NCEI)
Annual Precipitation
19.7"
Plus 64.0" of snow
Comfort score vs national 100-point ceiling (Bethel) 37.0%
National median (≈55)
PlainClimate composite — temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, extreme-weather frequency. Below Average for the Bethel area.
Warming context for Bethel
MethodologyHow the U.S. land temperature anomaly tracks against the global mean since 1900. The current NOAA 1991-2020 normal for Bethel captures average conditions across the spread shown — the most recent decade is warmer than the 30-year mean.
- United States land mean (NOAA NCEI) +0.11 °C/decade
- Global anomaly (NASA GISTEMP) +0.11 °C/decade
- Paris Agreement thresholds 1.5°C / 2.0°C
Monthly Temperatures
Average daily high and low temperatures by month
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Mean | Precip | Snow | Freeze Days | 90°F+ Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-11°C) | 1°F (-17°C) | 7°F (-14°C) | 0.8" | 9.4" | 30.4 | 0.0 |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 7°F (-14°C) | 13°F (-10°C) | 0.9" | 8.1" | 27.4 | 0.0 |
| March | 22°F (-6°C) | 7°F (-14°C) | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.7" | 8.8" | 30.4 | 0.0 |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 21°F (-6°C) | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.8" | 6.0" | 26.5 | 0.0 |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 34°F (1°C) | 43°F (6°C) | 1.2" | 1.9" | 12.5 | 0.0 |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 45°F (7°C) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8" | 0.0" | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 49°F (9°C) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 47°F (8°C) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.4" | 0.0" | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 39°F (4°C) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.9" | 0.5" | 5.3 | 0.0 |
| October | 38°F (3°C) | 26°F (-3°C) | 32°F (0°C) | 1.8" | 3.9" | 22.8 | 0.0 |
| November | 24°F (-4°C) | 13°F (-11°C) | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.8" | 13.2" | 28.2 | 0.0 |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 4°F (-16°C) | 10°F (-12°C) | 1.1" | 12.2" | 30.4 | 0.0 |
Monthly Precipitation
Average monthly rainfall and snowfall
January 0.8"
Snow: 9.4"
9.2 days with precipitation
February 0.9"
Snow: 8.1"
10.1 days with precipitation
March 0.7"
Snow: 8.8"
8.6 days with precipitation
April 0.8"
Snow: 6.0"
9.5 days with precipitation
May 1.2"
Snow: 1.9"
12.0 days with precipitation
June 1.8"
12.9 days with precipitation
July 2.6"
16.2 days with precipitation
August 3.4"
18.1 days with precipitation
September 2.9"
Snow: 0.5"
16.6 days with precipitation
October 1.8"
Snow: 3.9"
13.3 days with precipitation
November 1.8"
Snow: 13.2"
13.7 days with precipitation
December 1.1"
Snow: 12.2"
10.9 days with precipitation
Frost Dates & Growing Season
First Fall Freeze
September 22
50% probability date
Last Spring Freeze
May 21
50% probability date
Heating & Cooling Degree Days
Annual totals indicate energy demand for heating and cooling
Heating Degree Days
12,228
Higher = more heating needed
Cooling Degree Days
6
Higher = more cooling needed
Warmest Month
July
Coldest Month
January
Humidity & Wind
Monthly averages from hourly observations
| Month | Humidity | Wind (mph) | Clear Sky % | Overcast % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 81% | 13.9 | 34% | 35% |
| February | 81% | 13.4 | 27% | 43% |
| March | 80% | 11.9 | 28% | 39% |
| April | 75% | 10.8 | 18% | 40% |
| May | 68% | 10.2 | -1658% | -1637% |
| June | 76% | 9.3 | -7497% | -7486% |
| July | 83% | 9.9 | -8332% | -8321% |
| August | 84% | 10.2 | -7497% | -7483% |
| September | 84% | 10.7 | -3321% | -3301% |
| October | 86% | 11.5 | -7495% | -7486% |
| November | 85% | 12.3 | -1228% | -1211% |
| December | 83% | 12.9 | -1643% | -1634% |
Related Data
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Climate Guides
Climate Insight: Bethel, AK
The NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals describe Bethel, Alaska as a location with an annual average temperature of 31°F, ranging from a mean daily high of 38°F to a mean daily low of 24°F. July is typically the warmest month of the year, while January is the coldest. These thirty-year averages, computed from station USW00026615, smooth out year-to-year variability and give a baseline expectation for typical conditions in any given month.
Precipitation patterns matter as much as temperature for anyone planning to live, garden, or travel here. Bethel receives roughly 19.7 inches of precipitation each year, with 64.0 inches typically falling as snow. Growing-season length varies with elevation and microclimate, with the last spring freeze near May 21 and the first fall freeze near September 22. For energy use, 12,228 heating degree days and 6 cooling degree days tell the story of how often furnaces and air conditioners run during a normal year.
On PlainClimate's composite comfort index, Bethel scores 37/100 (Below Average), a blended measure that weighs temperature mildness, precipitation moderation, and extreme-weather frequency against one another. Use the monthly tables above to plan around specific windows — shoulder seasons for mild highs and lows, peak summer for July-driven heat, or deep winter for January-driven cold. All figures here are thirty-year averages: any single year may run warmer, wetter, drier, or cooler than the normal, so treat them as planning guidance rather than forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average temperature in Bethel, AK? ▼
The average annual temperature in Bethel, Alaska is 31°F. The warmest month averages 64°F (18°C) and the coldest averages 1°F (-17°C).
How much rain does Bethel get? ▼
Bethel receives 19.7 inches of precipitation annually, including 64.0 inches of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
What is the comfort score for Bethel? ▼
Bethel has a climate comfort score of 37/100 (Below Average). This score considers temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, and extreme weather frequency.
When is the growing season in Bethel? ▼
Growing season data is not available for Bethel.
How much energy does heating and cooling require in Bethel? ▼
Bethel has 12,228 heating degree days and 6 cooling degree days annually. Higher heating degree days indicate greater winter energy demand, while higher cooling degree days indicate greater summer cooling needs.
Where does this Bethel climate data come from? ▼
All climate data comes from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1, covering the 30-year period from 1991 to 2020. Data is collected from weather station USW00026615. These 30-year averages are the standard reference for typical weather conditions.
Data Sources
Data source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1 (1991-2020). Station: USW00026615. For informational purposes only.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainClimate Editorial
