PlainClimate
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Ketchikan, AK Climate

Temperature, precipitation, and comfort score from NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals →

30-year climate normals from 2 weather stations (1991-2020).

Ketchikan, Alaska has an average annual temperature of 46°F and a climate comfort score of 47/100 (Moderate). Annual precipitation totals 149.5". Based on NOAA 30-year normals (1991–2020).

Avg Temperature

46°F (8°C)

Avg High

51°F

Avg Low

41°F

Annual Precip

149.5"

Comfort Score

47/100

Moderate

Climate Comfort Score

47/100

Moderate

Avg Annual Temperature

46°F

30-year mean (NOAA NCEI)

Annual Precipitation

149.5"

Liquid-equivalent total

Comfort score vs national 100-point ceiling (Ketchikan) 47.0%
National median (≈55)

PlainClimate composite — temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, extreme-weather frequency. Moderate for the Ketchikan area.

Warming context for Ketchikan

Methodology

How the U.S. land temperature anomaly tracks against the global mean since 1900. The current NOAA 1991-2020 normal for Ketchikan captures average conditions across the spread shown — the most recent decade is warmer than the 30-year mean.

Warming context — U.S. vs global, with Paris reference lines Anomaly chart from 1900 to 2024. Local series shows warming of 0.11 °C per decade versus a global rate of 0.11 °C per decade (ratio 1.00). Paris Agreement thresholds at 1.5 and 2.0 °C are dashed. -1.0°C -0.5°C +0.0°C +0.5°C +1.0°C +1.5°C +2.0°C +2.5°C Paris 1.5°C Paris 2.0°C 1900192019401960198020002020
  • 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
Sources: NOAA NCEI, NASA GISTEMP. Paris thresholds per IPCC AR6 WG1.

Monthly Temperatures

Average daily high and low temperatures by month

Month Avg High Avg Low Mean
January 40°F (4°C) 32°F (0°C) 36°F (2°C)
February 41°F (5°C) 32°F (0°C) 36°F (2°C)
March 44°F (6°C) 32°F (0°C) 38°F (3°C)
April 50°F (10°C) 37°F (3°C) 44°F (6°C)
May 57°F (14°C) 43°F (6°C) 50°F (10°C)
June 61°F (16°C) 49°F (10°C) 55°F (13°C)
July 65°F (18°C) 53°F (12°C) 59°F (15°C)
August 65°F (18°C) 53°F (12°C) 59°F (15°C)
September 59°F (15°C) 48°F (9°C) 54°F (12°C)
October 51°F (11°C) 41°F (5°C) 46°F (8°C)
November 44°F (7°C) 36°F (2°C) 40°F (4°C)
December 40°F (5°C) 33°F (0°C) 36°F (2°C)

Monthly Precipitation

Average monthly rainfall

January 16.2"

22.0 days with precipitation

February 11.8"

17.0 days with precipitation

March 11.0"

20.6 days with precipitation

April 10.3"

19.4 days with precipitation

May 8.7"

16.1 days with precipitation

June 7.0"

16.4 days with precipitation

July 7.3"

16.0 days with precipitation

August 11.3"

16.8 days with precipitation

September 14.3"

19.5 days with precipitation

October 18.4"

22.8 days with precipitation

November 17.1"

23.6 days with precipitation

December 16.3"

22.4 days with precipitation

Frost Dates & Growing Season

First Fall Freeze

October 23

50% probability date

Last Spring Freeze

April 22

50% probability date

Heating & Cooling Degree Days

Annual totals indicate energy demand for heating and cooling

Heating Degree Days

6,917

Higher = more heating needed

Cooling Degree Days

16

Higher = more cooling needed

Warmest Month

August

Coldest Month

January

Humidity & Wind

Monthly averages from hourly observations

Month Humidity Wind (mph)
January 83% 8.8
February 76% 8.1
March 79% 8.4
April 76% 8.9
May 77% 8.3
June 80% 8.1
July 80% 7.9
August 86% 7.4
September 87% 7.8
October 85% 8.2
November 85% 8.2
December 84% 8.4

Related Data

Climate Guides

Climate Insight: Ketchikan, AK

The NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals describe Ketchikan, Alaska as a location with an annual average temperature of 46°F, ranging from a mean daily high of 51°F to a mean daily low of 41°F. August is typically the warmest month of the year, while January is the coldest. These thirty-year averages, computed from 2 weather stations, 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. Ketchikan receives roughly 149.5 inches of precipitation each year, predominantly as rainfall. Growing-season length varies with elevation and microclimate, with the last spring freeze near April 22 and the first fall freeze near October 23. For energy use, 6,917 heating degree days and 16 cooling degree days tell the story of how often furnaces and air conditioners run during a normal year.

On PlainClimate's composite comfort index, Ketchikan scores 47/100 (Moderate), 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 August-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 Ketchikan, AK?
The average annual temperature in Ketchikan, Alaska is 46°F. The warmest month averages 65°F (18°C) and the coldest averages 32°F (0°C).
How much rain does Ketchikan get?
Ketchikan receives 149.5 inches of precipitation annually. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
What is the comfort score for Ketchikan?
Ketchikan has a climate comfort score of 47/100 (Moderate). This score considers temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, and extreme weather frequency.
When is the growing season in Ketchikan?
Growing season data is not available for Ketchikan.
How much energy does heating and cooling require in Ketchikan?
Ketchikan has 6,917 heating degree days and 16 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 Ketchikan 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 2 weather stations. 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: USW00025325. For informational purposes only.

Related

Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainClimate Editorial