Weather in Cold Bay

Stay up to date with current weather conditions when setting off for Cold Bay. Below you will find the latest data, forecasts, and useful charts to help you plan your time efficiently.

The climate of the city of Cold Bay can be characterized as subarctic maritime, distinguished by high humidity and coolness throughout the year. Thanks to the influence of the ocean, there are no extreme temperature fluctuations here: winters are relatively mild for these latitudes, and summers are cool and fresh. Oceanic air masses smooth out seasonal differences, making the weather quite stable, yet severe.

One should not expect a distinct hot season here: even in the warmest months, July and August, the average temperature holds at the level of +10...+11°C. In winter, the thermometer rarely drops significantly below zero. The main feature of the local climate is the large number of overcast days and frequent precipitation. Rain or snow can fall 15–20 days a month year-round, so waterproof clothing and wind protection will be a traveller's main companions in the United States when visiting this region.

The climate in the city of Cold Bay is noted for its moderation and the absence of sharp temperature changes during the year. Cool weather prevails here, typical of high-latitude maritime regions. The annual temperature range is small: January is usually the coldest month with an average figure of about -1.5°C, and the warmest is August, when the air warms up to an average of 11.2°C.

Summer in this region of the USA cannot be called hot; it is rather cool and crisp. Even at the peak of the season, in July and August, average daily maximums rarely exceed the 12-13°C mark. The winter period passes quite mildly by northern standards: temperatures from December to March fluctuate near zero, only rarely dropping to small negative values; for example, in January the average minimum is just -3.2°C.

A specific feature of the temperature regime is minimal daily fluctuations. The difference between day and night readings is extremely small here and often amounts to just 2-3 degrees. For example, in August the average night minimum (9.6°C) hardly differs from the day maximum (12.8°C). This creates a feeling of stable coolness around the clock, so travellers should keep warm clothing with them at any time of the year.

Precipitation in Cold Bay falls with enviable regularity throughout the year, however, its intensity remains extremely low. This region is characterized by gloomy weather, with the sky covered in clouds most of the time. Despite the fact that the monthly volume of precipitation according to statistics is only 2–4 mm, the number of days with bad weather is very high, varying from 15 to 24 days per month.

In the winter period, from December to March, when average temperatures stay around or slightly below zero, light snow or wet snow often falls. February and December are distinguished by a high frequency of precipitation — up to 21–22 days, but it is rarely heavy. In spring, the weather character changes little: in May, for example, about 21 wet days are recorded with minimal moisture accumulation.

Summer brings slight warming and rains, often in the form of drizzle. June and July are considered relatively "dry" months, judging by the number of inclement days (15–16), but by autumn the frequency of precipitation rises again. October is the rainiest month by the number of days with precipitation (24 days), although the total level of fallen moisture remains at the level of 4 mm, just like at the end of the year.

When planning a trip to Cold Bay, it is important to remember that the climate here is severe and humid, so the main principle when choosing clothes should be layering. Even in the warmest summer months, July and August, the average temperature stays around +10...+11°C, so light items will hardly be useful to you. Your wardrobe should be based on high-quality thermal underwear, warm fleece jackets, and wool sweaters, which will help preserve body heat during the piercing winds characteristic of this area.

Considering the high humidity and frequent precipitation (rain or snow falls more than 15 days a month year-round), waterproof and windproof outerwear is an absolute necessity. A standard umbrella may prove useless here due to strong gusts of wind, so it is better to prefer a reliable storm jacket with a hood or a high-quality raincoat. Footwear must be waterproof and comfortable for walking on rough terrain; insulated trekking boots with non-slip soles are ideal.

Do not forget about warm accessories: a hat, a scarf, and gloves will be relevant at any time of the year, as even in summer the weather can change abruptly. In the winter period, when the temperature drops below zero, it is worth taking an insulated parka and thick trousers. Despite the frequent cloudiness, it is recommended to bring sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your eyes and skin from the effects of the wind and ultraviolet rays breaking through the clouds.