Climate in Anchorage (Alaska)

Anchorage has a subarctic climate, with very cold winters and mild summers.
Anchorage is the largest city of Alaska and is located in the south of the state, at 61 degrees north latitude, in a sheltered bay, Cook Inlet. All around the city there are perennially snow-capped mountains: the Tordrillo Mountains to the west, the Alaska Range to the north, the Chugach Mountains to the east, and the Kenai Mountains to the south.
Ice tongues start from the mountains and turn into rivers before entering the sea, for example, the Knik glacier gives life to the river of the same name which then flows into the sea near Anchorage.

The daily average temperature ranges from -8.5 °C (16.5 °F) in January to 15.5 °C (59.5 °F) in July.

Due to the enclosed location in the mountains, precipitation is not abundant, and amounts to only 415 millimeters (16.5 inches) per year. Snow falls from October to April, and despite the low level of precipitation, the total amount of snow that falls in a year is close to 2 meters (6.5 feet). The rainiest period corresponds to the end of summer and the beginning of autumn (August-September).



The winter is very cold, with fairly frequent snowfalls, although generally not abundant. The temperature is normally below freezing even during the day, however, in some periods, it can rise a few degrees above, even up to 7/8 °C (45/46 °F).
However, there are also times when the temperature drops several degrees below freezing. On the coldest nights, it drops below -20 °C (-4 °F) every year. The coldest record is -38 °C (-36.5 °F) and was set in February 1947.
Sometimes fog can form, which can freeze, resulting in the phenomenon known as soft rime.
Also, the winter is long. In April it can still snow (and occasionally even in May).

The summer is mild, with rainfall gradually becoming more frequent. There are also cool days, with highs of 13/14 °C (55/27 °F), especially in June and late August.
However, there may also be pleasant periods, with highs of 21/22 °C (70/72 °F).
On the warmest days of the year, the temperature can reach 27/28 °C (81/82 °F). In July 2019, the temperature even reached 32.2 °C (90 °F).

In Anchorage, the sun shines quite often in spring and summer. However, during this period the days are very long, and roughly from May 7 to August 5 there are white nights.

The sea in the bay of Anchorage is colder in the winter than the ocean on the Gulf of Alaska coast, and can be covered in floating ice floes.

Best Time

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The best time to visit Anchorage is the summer, from June to August, being the mildest season. June is the driest and sunniest month and July is the warmest month, while in August the rains become frequent.

Anchorage - Climate data

In Anchorage, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -8.4 °C (16.9 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 415 millimeters (16.3 inches) per year: it is therefore quite scarce. It ranges from 11 mm (0.4 in) in the driest month (April) to 78.7 mm (3.1 in) in the wettest one (September). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 2 °C (36 °F) in February, March to
There are on average around 2060 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Anchorage - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of -8.4 °C (17 °F), with a minimum of -11.6 °C (11.1 °F) and a maximum of -5.2 °C (22.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -23 °C (-9.5 °F). However, it dropped to -31.1 °C (-24 °F) in January 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it reached 10 °C (50 °F) in January 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 19.2 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 6 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of -6 °C (21 °F), with a minimum of -9.3 °C (15.3 °F) and a maximum of -2.6 °C (27.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -20 °C (-3.5 °F). However, it dropped to -33 °C (-27.4 °F) in February 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it reached 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in February 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 21.9 mm (0.9 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2 °C (36 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -3.4 °C (26 °F), with a minimum of -7.4 °C (18.7 °F) and a maximum of 0.5 °C (32.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17.5 °C (1 °F). However, it dropped to -26.7 °C (-16.1 °F) in March 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it reached 11 °C (51.8 °F) in March 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 17.5 mm (0.7 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2 °C (36 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.1 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of -1.1 °C (30 °F) and a maximum of 7.3 °C (45.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -18.3 °C (-0.9 °F) in April 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 11 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (37.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 4.4 °C (39.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in May 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in May 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 16.6 mm (0.7 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (42.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 0.7 °C (33.3 °F) in June 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in June 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 25.8 mm (1 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 19 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are very long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.3 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.6 °C (52.9 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (66.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 4.4 °C (39.9 °F) in July 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 46.3 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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August is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.2 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in August 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 74.5 mm (2.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.6 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.1 °C (43 °F) and a maximum of 13.2 °C (55.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -7.2 °C (19 °F) in September 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 78.7 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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October is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.4 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of -0.7 °C (30.7 °F) and a maximum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (16.5 °F). However, it dropped to -17.3 °C (0.9 °F) in October 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in October 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 46.3 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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November is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -4.6 °C (24 °F), with a minimum of -7.6 °C (18.3 °F) and a maximum of -1.7 °C (28.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17 °C (1 °F). However, it dropped to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) in November 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it reached 12.2 °C (54 °F) in November 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 30.2 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of -7 °C (19 °F), with a minimum of -10.1 °C (13.8 °F) and a maximum of -3.9 °C (25 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -20.5 °C (-5 °F). However, it dropped to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it reached 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 29.4 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 5 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.