Climate

Anchorage’s sub arctic climate is not as extreme as some may imagine when they think of Alaskan climate. Sheltered from the harshest winter winds by the Alaska and Talkeetna mountains and with temperatures moderated by its position on the Gulf of Alaska, Anchorage enjoys mild summers and snowy winters.

Although Anchorage, Alaska is at a relatively southern latitude (for Alaska), residents and visitors can still enjoy 24 hours of functional daylight at midsummer, with 19.5 hours of actual daylight. In winter Anchorage benefits from more winter sun than more northerly communities, with 5.5 hours of daylight on the shortest day.

Summers can be rainy, but it is during winter that Anchorage receives most of its precipitation as snow, to the joy of snow-sports enthusiasts.  The average annual snowfall reading at the Anchorage International Airport is somewhat misleading as the airport is blocked from the Gulf of Alaska by mountains and receives only 70 inches on average.  By contrast, nearby communities on Prince William Sound such as Whittier and Valdez average 250 – 303 inches.

For more information visit the Alaska Climate Research Center website.

Anchorage Weather Statistics

Average January low:    9°F (-13°C)                 Average January high:  22°F (-5°C)

Snowfall annual average:  70 inches (179 cm)

Average July low:         52°F (11°C)                 Average July high:         66°F (19°C)