In spite of the extreme northern location, there is no permafrost, as the mean annual temperature is approximately 2 �C (36 �F), about the same as Anchorage, Alaska which is located at a latitude of 61� North. Monthly 24-hr averages range from ?5 �C (23 �F) in January to 11 �C (52 �F) in July. Mean annual precipitation is 820 millimetres (32.3 in). The driest months are May, June, and July; with on average of 50 millimetres (2.0 in) of rainfall each month. The wettest period is October through December. Hammerfest often experiences heavy snowfall in winter, and on some occasions, avalanches or risk of avalanches have forced some inhabitants to be evacuated from their exposed homes until the danger was over
