The best times to visit Alaska for ideal weather are
June 25th to August 26th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Alaska Travel Guide
Other Alaska Travel Info
Weather in Alaska
Temperature
Average temperatures in Alaska vary drastically. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for most of the year with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 37th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Alaska, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early August where highs are regularly around 62.5°F (16.9°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 49.3°F (9.6°C) at night.
Alaska Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Alaska Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Alaska Perceived Temperature (F)
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Alaska Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Alaska Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 19.7 | 13.8 | 8.3 |
Feb | 23.2 | 16.3 | 10.1 |
Mar | 25.7 | 17.8 | 10.6 |
Apr | 37.8 | 30.3 | 23.2 |
May | 50.6 | 42.9 | 35.6 |
Jun | 58.9 | 51.2 | 44.4 |
Jul | 61.7 | 54.6 | 48.6 |
Aug | 60.1 | 53.2 | 47.3 |
Sep | 52.7 | 46.2 | 40.6 |
Oct | 40.5 | 34.9 | 30.1 |
Nov | 27.8 | 22.3 | 17 |
Dec | 21.9 | 16.4 | 10.9 |
Show Celsius
Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | -6.8 | -10.1 | -13.2 |
Feb | -4.9 | -8.7 | -12.2 |
Mar | -3.5 | -7.9 | -11.9 |
Apr | 3.2 | -0.9 | -4.9 |
May | 10.3 | 6.1 | 2 |
Jun | 14.9 | 10.7 | 6.9 |
Jul | 16.5 | 12.6 | 9.2 |
Aug | 15.6 | 11.8 | 8.5 |
Sep | 11.5 | 7.9 | 4.8 |
Oct | 4.7 | 1.6 | -1.1 |
Nov | -2.3 | -5.4 | -8.3 |
Dec | -5.6 | -8.7 | -11.7 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Alaska are March, May, and then April. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid March. For example, on the week of March 19th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early September with an average of 1 days of significant precipitation the week of September 3rd.
When can you find snow in Alaska? Weather stations report very large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around March, especially close to early March. The best time to ski (if at all) in Alaska is often around around November 19th when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Alaska.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Alaska (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 8% | 12.8 | 1.4 |
Feb | 7% | 14.2 | 0.9 |
Mar | 6% | 16.3 | 0.8 |
Apr | 6% | 12.4 | 0.9 |
May | 6% | 6.2 | 0.8 |
Jun | 8% | 4.2 | 1 |
Jul | 11% | 7.1 | 1.4 |
Aug | 13% | 0 | 1.8 |
Sep | 14% | 2.3 | 2.1 |
Oct | 11% | 2.9 | 1.8 |
Nov | 10% | 6.5 | 1.5 |
Dec | 8% | 9.3 | 1.2 |
Show Centimeters
Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 8 | 32.5 | 3.6 |
Feb | 7 | 36.1 | 2.3 |
Mar | 6 | 41.4 | 2 |
Apr | 6 | 31.5 | 2.3 |
May | 6 | 15.7 | 2 |
Jun | 8 | 10.7 | 2.5 |
Jul | 11 | 18 | 3.6 |
Aug | 13 | 0 | 4.6 |
Sep | 14 | 5.8 | 5.3 |
Oct | 11 | 7.4 | 4.6 |
Nov | 10 | 16.5 | 3.8 |
Dec | 8 | 23.6 | 3 |
Humidity and Wind
Alaska has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is March (60.9% relative humidity), and the most humid month is August (74.1%).
Wind in Alaska is usually moderate. The windiest month is December, followed by February and January. December’s average wind speed of around 8.3 knots (9.5 MPH or 15.3 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early March where average top sustained speeds reach 16.1 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Alaska.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
Jan | 8 | Gentle breeze | 15.2 | Significant breeze |
Feb | 8.2 | Gentle breeze | 15.4 | Significant breeze |
Mar | 7.8 | Gentle breeze | 14.7 | Significant breeze |
Apr | 7.4 | Gentle breeze | 14 | Significant breeze |
May | 6.8 | Light breeze | 13.2 | Significant breeze |
Jun | 6.5 | Light breeze | 12.6 | Significant breeze |
Jul | 6.2 | Light breeze | 12.2 | Significant breeze |
Aug | 6.1 | Light breeze | 12.1 | Significant breeze |
Sep | 7 | Gentle breeze | 13.5 | Significant breeze |
Oct | 7.4 | Gentle breeze | 14.1 | Significant breeze |
Nov | 8 | Gentle breeze | 15.1 | Significant breeze |
Dec | 8.3 | Gentle breeze | 15.5 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
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Jan | 69.1% |
Feb | 67.4% |
Mar | 60.9% |
Apr | 62.5% |
May | 61% |
Jun | 65.3% |
Jul | 70.9% |
Aug | 74.1% |
Sep | 72.5% |
Oct | 72.9% |
Nov | 70.8% |
Dec | 69.9% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Alaska?
Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for the United States; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Dec 04, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Alaska, United States is April, followed by June and August. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Alaska in October. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Alaska Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel very cold. Highs range from 56.3°F (13.5°C) and 22.4°F (-5.3°C) with far warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with roughly 2 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have cold weather with high temperatures that are brisk. These months see moderate precipitation with 2 to 4 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Alaska, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 56.5°F (13.6°C) and 24.4°F (-4.2°C), which will feel very chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 3 to 4 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is far too cold this time of year in Alaska to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 26.1°F (-3.3°C) and 18.3°F (-7.6°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: consistently 2 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› the United States › Alaska, United States