Anchorage, AK: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Anchorage is a large, contemporary city situated in a magnificent natural landscape. Located in south central Alaska between Cook Inlet) and the Chugach mountains, the city has a climate characterized by icy, dark winters and warm summers with more than 20 hours of sunshine per day. Fall and spring are more temperate.

Summer: The average temperature is 58 degrees and the temperature often climbs into the 70s and 80s at midday. During the summer solstice, Anchorage enjoys more than 20 hours of daylight. The average rainfall is 2.3 inches per month.

Fall: While the fishing season is still busy in September and the weather is still comparatively comfortable in October, the Anchorage area makes a rapid descent into cold winter by November, when temperatures drop as low as 16 degrees. The average temperature is 48 degrees and the average rainfall is 1.6 inches.

Winter: Anchorage sees long, snowy winters with short daylight hours. The average temperature is 35 degrees and during the deepest winter, the sun only comes out for a few hours each day. Anchorage receives an average of up to 10 inches of snow in the month of January. Average monthly rainfall is 0.9 inches.

Spring: Spring is the driest season in Anchorage, and the months enjoy long daylight hours. The average temperature is 49 degrees and the average rainfall is 0.6 inches.

In Anchorage, try local sources for weather forecasts, like Anchorage Weather Cam.

When to Go: Peak Season
The summer season, roughly defined as May through September, is the peak season in Anchorage and much of Alaska. Avid fishermen flock here at the start of the season, eager to get a line in the water, while hikers and outdoorsy types quickly fill Anchorage hotels. The good news is that the turnover is quick - most travelers are just stopping in Anchorage on their way out to the more remote regions of Alaska. Despite the higher hotel rates and crowds, the long daylight hours, energetic people, and warm temperatures make the city more appealing in summer than any other time.

When to Go: Off Season
Winter is extreme in Anchorage. Ice, rain, and snow pummel the city and daylight hours are short, especially around the winter solstice at the end of December, when the sun shines for only a few precious hours per day. Crowds thin out, but there's still a steady stream of adventure travelers and ice fishermen passing through Anchorage in January. By February, snowstorms may still be hitting Anchorage on a regular basis, but daylight hours increase significantly, and travelers continue to arrive in Anchorage for snowshoeing, ice skating, skiing, and snowboarding in the snowy areas around the city.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
Spring and fall are desirable times to travel to Anchorage. April and May are dry and sunny, and an ideal time for fishing in the streams outside the city, while October and November bring more precipitation. Just outside the city, wildlife such as bald eagles and foxes can still be viewed in their natural habitat during these seasons. The shoulder seasons see solid numbers of outdoor adventurers passing through Anchorage on their way to the mountains for hiking, camping, and bird watching. Hotel rates are usually less than in summer, the most popular travel season, but more than the discounted winter prices.

• Sun

   

  Partly Cloudy

  20  15

• Mon

   

  Snow Showers

  22  22

• Tue

   

  Snow Showers

  26  25

• Wed

   

  Snow Showers

  21  20

• Thu

   

  Snow Showers

  29  21

• Fri

   

  Snow Showers

  31  29

• Sat

   

  Scattered Snow Showers

  31  21

Get more information on Anchorage weather.