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Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Alaska for your holiday.
Climate Overview
-31 °C to 22 °C
6 °C to 14 °C
0.16 – 15.47 in (1 – 23 Days of Rain)Average Annual Temperature is between -12.5 °C (Barrow) and 7.7 °C (Annette Island)
Show temperatures in degree
Geographical location
Table of Contents
Alaska is the northernmost state of the United States of America. Only about 700,000 inhabitants live in the country with an area of about 1.7 million square kilometers.
It is divided into three regions. Along the southern Pacific coast is the mountain range, the middle part is called the Yukon lowland and the Northern costal area is name the North Slope.
The capital of Alaska is Juneau and is located in the Southeast. The largest city of the exclave is Anchorage, with 290,000 residents. In the hinterland is Fairbanks, the second largest city in the country.
To the far East, the state borders with the Canadian Yukon and interesting cities like Whitehorse. At the same time, the Yukon River in Canada rises and crosses the border of Alaska and flows through the middle of the country. Official language is English.
Climate in Alaska
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Alaska has an arctic climate, which is characterized by extremely cold winters as well as a comparatively cold summer and little sunlight. At the coast you will find a maritime climate with average temperatures of 3 °C to 7 °C.
However, the climate is very diverse in the different regions. In the city of Nome, temperatures can reach 24 °C in August, whereas in Baron the zero degree limit is rarely exceeded. The warmest month in Fairbanks is July with about 17 °C.
The coldest month there is January with temperatures around –23 °C. The closer you get to the north of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean, the colder it gets.
Best Time to Visit Alaska: Overview
JanuaryJan MaximumMax. 4 °C up to 10.08 in of rainof rain | FebruaryFeb MaximumMax. 6 °C perfect for ski and dog sledge | MarchMar MaximumMax. 7 °C perfect for ski and dog sledge | AprilApr MaximumMax. 11 °C perfect for ski and dog sledge | MayMay TemperaturesTemp. up to 15 °C Start of Season | JuneJun Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Alaska |
JulyJul Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Alaska | AugustAug Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Alaska | SeptemberSep Good time to traveltime Indian Summercold nights, sunny days | OctoberOct MaximumMax. 11 °C up to 15.47 in of rainof rain | NovemberNov MaximumMax. 7 °C Up to 11.65 in of rainof rain | DecemberDec MaximumMax. 4 °C Up to 11.22 in of rainof rain |
When to visit Alaska?
Due to the climate and most hours of sunshine, June, July and August are the best months to travel. At this time there is a pleasant temperature level, while wind and storm are kept within limits. Ideal for round trips by motorhome or rental car.
September is usually sunny, but the nights are already very cold. Winter in Alaska is considered rather “hostile to life”, but in the period from February to April good conditions for ski tours and excursions with the dog sled lure. The Pacific coast is wetter all year round, but winters are much less harsh.
Best Time to Visit the Regions
Find the best time to visit the regions (Alaska) in the following overview.| Location | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|
| Fairbanks | June, July, and August |
| Nome | June, July, August, and September |
| Annette Island | June, July, and August |
| Barrow | June, July, August, and September |
Climate Charts Alaska
In the following, you will find climate charts for the regions.
Furthermore, there are some charts you can use for quick comparison of climate between the regions.
Show Climate Chart for
Fairbanks
Show temperatures in degree
Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia
Climate Tables Alaska
In the following, you will find some climate tables for Alaska, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.Show climate table for
Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Fairbanks (Alaska)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | -20° | -14° | -6° | 5° | 15° | 21° | 22° | 19° | 12° | 0° | -11° | -19° |
| Night Temperature | -30° | -26° | -20° | -7° | 3° | 9° | 11° | 8° | 2° | -8° | -20° | -28° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 0.51 | 0.43 | 0.35 | 0.28 | 0.59 | 1.38 | 1.85 | 1.85 | 1.06 | 0.83 | 0.71 | 0.79 |
| Rainy days | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 2 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Fairbanks is -2.9 °C.For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C
Warmest month: July (16.9 °C)
Coldest month: January (-23.4 °C)
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 10.63 inch on 65 rainy daysFor comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in
There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).
Months that have possible snowfall: all except June, July, and August
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, June is the sunniest month with an average of 12 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 5.9 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Nome (Alaska)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | -10° | -11° | -8° | -4° | 6° | 12° | 14° | 13° | 9° | 1° | -5° | -9° |
| Night Temperature | -18° | -20° | -18° | -12° | -2° | 4° | 7° | 7° | 2° | -5° | -13° | -18° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 1.02 | 0.94 | 0.87 | 0.79 | 0.71 | 0.94 | 2.28 | 3.82 | 2.68 | 1.69 | 1.14 | 0.98 |
| Rainy days | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Nome is -3.2 °C.Warmest month: July (10.8 °C)
Coldest month: February (-15.6 °C)
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 17.87 inch on 80 rainy daysThere is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).
Months that have possible snowfall: all except July, and August
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, May is the sunniest month with an average of 8.3 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 4.5 hours of sunshine per day on average.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Annette Island (Alaska)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 4° | 6° | 7° | 10° | 13° | 16° | 18° | 18° | 16° | 11° | 7° | 4° |
| Night Temperature | -1° | 0° | 1° | 3° | 6° | 9° | 11° | 11° | 9° | 6° | 2° | -0° |
| Water Temperature | 6° | 6° | 6° | 6° | 7° | 10° | 12° | 14° | 13° | 11° | 9° | 7° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 10.08 | 8.78 | 7.87 | 7.8 | 6.02 | 4.69 | 4.29 | 6.14 | 9.29 | 15.47 | 11.65 | 11.22 |
| Rainy days | 18 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 23 | 20 | 20 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Annette Island is 7.7 °C.Warmest month: August (14.8 °C)
Coldest month: January (1.3 °C)
The maximum water temperature in Annette Island is 14 °C. Bathing would be very uncomfortable.
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 103.31 inch on 199 rainy daysRainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation): all except May, June, July, and August
Overall precipitation in the rainy season: 82.17 in
Months that have possible snowfall: January, February, March, April, November, and December
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, May is the sunniest month with an average of 6 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 3.5 hours of sunshine per day on average.Temperatures, Precipitation in Barrow (Alaska)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | -22° | -25° | -23° | -14° | -4° | 3° | 7° | 6° | 1° | -7° | -15° | -21° |
| Night Temperature | -30° | -31° | -30° | -22° | -10° | -2° | 1° | 1° | -3° | -12° | -21° | -28° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.16 | 0.28 | 0.98 | 0.91 | 0.55 | 0.43 | 0.24 | 0.2 |
| Rainy days | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Barrow is -12.5 °C.Warmest month: July (3.9 °C)
Coldest month: February (-27.7 °C)
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 4.45 inch on 30 rainy daysThere is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).
Months that have possible snowfall: June, July, August, September, October, and November
Highlights and Attractions
The most important highlights and attractions in Alaska are definitely the national parks. South of the centre of the country is the famous Denali National Park, which is accessible by shuttle bus in various tours. Especially the wildlife in the National Park is spectacular and unparalleled.
In southern Alaska you will find the equally fascinating Kenai Fjord National Park. In summer it offers fantastic hiking trails and the possibility to see whales (with a little luck even orcas), sea lions and many other species at close range during a boat trip. The trip to Aialik Bay with a stop in front of the glacier is breathtaking.
Other places of interest are the numerous natural monuments, for example the Admirality Island National Monument at the extreme southeast corner of Alaska.
Popular Activities
From Fairbanks: Northern Lights and Arctic Circle Tour
Tours
from 260 $ »
Travel from Fairbanks to the Arctic Circle on a guided tour, see the Northern Lights, and witness the landscape of Alaska’s untouched wilderness.
From Fairbanks: Arctic Circle Full-Day Guided Trip
Tours
from 235 $ »
Enjoy Alaska’s untouched nature and its raw beauty on a guided trip from Fairbanks. Step across the Arctic Circle, see the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline, and discover the Yukon River and Finger Mountain.
Fairbanks: Moonlight Dog Sled, Dinner & Northern Lights
Tours
from 315 $ »
Join a combination tour of two great Alaskan experiences, the magic of the Northern Lights and the thrill of dog-sledding. Finish the experience of a home-cooked Alaskan dinner served in a comfy yurt.
More attractions
Fairbanks: 1-Hour Alaskan Winter Dog Sledding Adventure | Fairbanks: Arctic Circle Adventure – Full-Day Guided Tour | From Fairbanks: Arctic Circle Northern Lights Full-Day Trip | From Fairbanks: Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tour | The Best of Fairbanks: Half-Day City Highlights Tour | From Fairbanks: Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour | Alaskan Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis Lodges |Current Weather and Forecast
Current Weather in Fairbanks
clear sky, -18.5 °CClouds: 0 % Wind: 3 mph NNO
Air Pressure: 993 hPa Humidity: 84 %
Air Pressure: 993 hPa Humidity: 84 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 10:44 am
The next days …
| 7th Feb 2023 | 8th Feb 2023 | 9th Feb 2023 | 10th Feb 2023 | 11th Feb 2023 | 12th Feb 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 -19 °C to -13 °C |  -23 °C to -17 °C | -22 °C to -17 °C | -28 °C to -19 °C | -29 °C to -23 °C | -25 °C to -21 °C |
| -19 °C to -13 °C | -23 °C to -17 °C | -22 °C to -17 °C | -28 °C to -19 °C | -29 °C to -23 °C | -25 °C to -21 °C |
| Clouds: 100 % | Clouds: 100 % | Clouds: 99 % | Clouds: 82 % | Clouds: 100 % | Clouds: 100 % |
| 0.04 in of snow | No Precipitation | 0.04 in of snow | 0.01 in of snow | No Precipitation | 0.07 in of snow |
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree
USA: Regions
Alaska is part of the holiday destination USA. We analyzed the climate for additional regions, in order to provide you with information about the best time to visit and the expected holiday weather:USA | Las Vegas | California | Florida | Southern United States | New York | Grand Canyon | Chicago | Hawaii | Miami | Key West | Los Angeles | San Francisco | Washington D.C. | Seattle | Boston | San Diego | Orlando | New Orleans | Fort Myers |
Hottest Month
July: 22 °C
Day Temperature in Fairbanks
July: 22 °CDay Temperature in Fairbanks
Coldest Month
February: -31 °C
Night Temperature in Barrow
February: -31 °CNight Temperature in Barrow
Rainiest Month
October: 15.47 in
Rain in Annette Island
October: 15.47 inRain in Annette Island
Driest Month
January: 0.16 in
Rain in Barrow
January: 0.16 inRain in Barrow
Maximum Water Temperature
August: 14 °C
Water Temperature in Annette Island
August: 14 °CWater Temperature in Annette Island
Sunniest Month
June: 12 hours/day
Sunshine in Fairbanks
June: 12 hours/daySunshine in Fairbanks
Activities and Attractions
Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour
Tours
from 195 $ »
Full Day Ice Museum and Chena Hot Springs Tour
Tours
from 206 $ »
Fairbanks – Denali Shuttle Service
National Parks
from 160 $ »
Distances to Alaska
| London | New York | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | 4220 mi | 3260 mi | 2450 mi |
| Nome | 4390 mi | 3770 mi | 2870 mi |
| Annette Island | 4560 mi | 2750 mi | 1590 mi |
| Barrow | 3880 mi | 3430 mi | 2930 mi |
Where’s Alaska?
Show Fairbanks on MapShow Nome on Map
Show Annette Island on Map
Show Barrow on Map
Continent: North America
All Holiday Destinations in North AmericaShare your Experience and Win
We want to know: how was the weather during your Alaska holiday? You can win a travel coupon of 1000 $. The price will be raffled among all submissions.
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Alaska: Experiences of our Visitors
Very changeable, often beautiful tomorrow and rainy day. Mostly cloudy. Clouds cleared in the evening mostly on super to observe northern lights!
Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed