Learn more about specific weather for the five regions in the state: Interior , Southcentral , Arctic , Inside Passage , Southwest. Click on a region below to see typical weather conditions and recommended clothing for your trip to Alaska:.
Myth: Summers in Alaska are always cool. Fact: The Interior region of Alaska enjoys warm summers. Fairbanks often has summer temperatures in the 80s and occasionally gets up into the 90s. Myth: Arctic Alaska is the coldest part of the state.
Fact: The Northern Interior along Brooks Range holds the record for the lowest temperature, where the mercury fell to June — August: December — February: Escape to the transformative natural beauty of Alaska. July is peak season in Alaska and also typically the warmest month of the summer. Because of the popularity of July travel, it is best to book reservations in advance for train transfers, lodging and activities.
August is the beginning of the end for the Alaskan Summer. While still warm, August tends to be the start of the rainy season. The days in August are getting shorter but you can still expect anywhere from 14 to 17 hours of daylight. You will also notice fewer crowds the latter part of August. September is similar to May with hotels and the Alaska Railroad lowering their rates.
Some activities will also end due to the cooler temperatures and shorter days. Along with cooler temperatures comes the color change in Alaska. After mid August the tundra and trees start turning brilliant shades of yellow, red and orange, reaching the peak mid September.
Denali National Park is especially beautiful this time of year. You should be able to see some wildlife in spring in Alaska, especially during the latter part, when bears are out of hibernation. In March — April, expect to see Gray whales across the coast. The Anchorage Market begins in May and runs to September. And most famous of all… the Iditarod happens in March and starts in downtown Anchorage!
Fall is quite similar to spring in regards to when activities are available, just in reverse. Traveling in the fall will also mean that you are likely to get a discount on accommodation and tours.
But I prefer avoiding crowds, so shoulder season is a familiar friend. Check out our Alaska itinerary here , it is formatted for all trip durations! Daylight is generally pretty good in September, with relatively long days, but by October, the nights start drawing in.
November is one of the darkest months of the year, with only an average of six hours of daylight in Anchorage. However, fall is one of the best seasons to spot the elusive Northern Lights. Days are short enough for them to make an appearance in dark enough places all over Alaska, and this is one of the most spectacular sights to witness in the state! Fairbanks, Alaska is known as the best place for viewing the Northern Lights, so consider adding that to your Alaska itinerary!
Fall temperatures start off fairly warm but drop quickly. Early September is one of the best months for hiking, but that changes by the time October rolls around. By mid-to-late September, most mountains are off-limits for hiking and other activities. You should still be able to access lowland areas. There are some year-round animals that you will be able to spot — such as moose on land and orcas in the sea — but many mammals will be in hibernation by the middle of September.
When the snow begins, you may see some animals, like moose, more frequently as they make journeys to feed. Although there are many more festivals in the summer months, there are a few in fall too. Alaska in winter is a time unlike any other. Days are short, the scenery is snowy, and it is pretty much the best time of year for snow sports like skiing, dog sledding tours, and seeing the elusive northern lights.
You also might feel like it never properly gets light. You can also expect a lot of snow, as well. On that front, snowstorms make winter in Alaska the riskiest season as a bad storm could put a damper in your plans. And if you need to know what to wear in Alaska, check out this post! No high ground regions are accessible in winter, and many remote areas in northern Alaska are cut off. You will be able to go to the cities and main towns, especially those that have specific winter activities like skiing, but may have to fly in.
Birdwatching is also a possibility. Most wildlife watching tours do not run in the winter. Despite the cold and dark weather, there are some festivals in Alaska in the winter.
In December, the international film festival held in Anchorage is a must, as are Races in Unalaska, which starts in late February. The best time to visit Alaska is classically in the summertime. But it really depends on your travel preferences. If you want plenty of daylight which you can jam-pack with activities, the start of summer, from late May to early July, is best for you.
If you are visiting Alaska on a budget, try spring or fall for better prices. Heading to Alaska for wildlife spotting? Of course, if you want to visit Alaska to ski, see the Northern Lights, or enjoy the snow, visiting in winter and early spring is the best for you!
0コメント