How Cold Is Alaska? Cool Facts You Need to Know!

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Does Alaska live up to its reputation of bone-chilling cold? Spoiler: It’s even more intense than you might think!

I lived in the Interior of Alaska for seven years, specifically in Fairbanks. The interior of Alaska is VERY dark and VERY cold in the winter months, making it a unique place to live for those who can tolerate it!

Some locations in Alaska get much colder, and others not as much. Remember, it’s a huge state, so the weather patterns are quite different between places like Fairbanks and Juneau, Alaska.

In this post, I will share how cold it gets in Alaska. Plus, I have a few amusing (or maybe disturbing?) stories to go along with the basic facts for your enjoyment. I’ll cover various locations from the Arctic Circle to the southern coast of Alaska.

Here I am wearing a winter coat, hat, and gloves standing on a snowy path on Murphy Dome surrounded by heavily snow-covered trees, with my husky dog following behind. The scene is lit by a low sun, creating a serene winter landscape. — I wear a long down parka with a hood in Fairbanks in the winter to keep warm!

How Cold is Alaska in Winter?

In winter, stepping outside in interior Alaska can be like arriving in a giant stinging freezer that stifles your ability to breathe comfortably.

Entering the outdoors at -35º F or colder can be a shock. January is Alaska’s coldest month, so keep that in mind when traveling.

It can cause all sorts of discomfort; it can make you cough, so cover that face and bundle up! Frostbite is a very real concern. Always cover your skin.

But the temperatures can vary quite a bit depending on whether you’re in the interior regions or along the coast. So I will give you the lowdown on different spots.

Fairbanks

Average Winter Temps: -20°F to -30°F (-29°C to -34°C)
Record Lows: Down to -60°F (-51°C) – Bundle up!
Fun Fact: Fairbanks is great for seeing the Northern Lights due to its clear, dark skies. It’s also the coldest city in the United States!

Anchorage

Average Winter Temps: 5°F to 30°F (-15°C to -1°C)
Record Lows: Around -38°F (-39°C)
Fun Fact: Anchorage gets a decent amount of snow, which makes it perfect for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, especially in its higher elevations. The warmer weather in Anchorage compared to the interior makes it more appealing for those not used to extreme cold.

Juneau

Average Winter Temps: 20°F to 35°F (-6°C to 2°C)
Record Lows: Around -22°F (-30°C)
Fun Fact: Juneau’s coastal location means it gets a lot of snow and rain, leading to a damp cold that can feel quite chilling. This year they had record-breaking snowfall, making it one of the best times to visit if you love dramatic winter landscapes!

Barrow (Utqiaġvik)

Average Winter Temps: -10°F to -20°F (-23°C to -29°C)
Record Lows: Around -56°F (-49°C)
Fun Fact: Barrow experiences polar night, where the sun doesn’t rise for about 65 days in winter. It’s dark and cold, a true Arctic experience.

Nome

Average Winter Temps: -5°F to 15°F (-21°C to -9°C)
Record Lows: Down to -54°F (-48°C)
Fun Fact: Nome is famous for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which ends there in March, annually. Travel to Nome for this event is worth it!

A blue lit octopus ice sculpture with intricate details. The ground is snowy and there are snow-dusted trees in the background. — Ice sculptures thrive in Fairbanks, Alaska, with zero risk of melting while on display!

Hilarious and Harsh Realities of Alaskan Winters

I worked at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks for six years, and I remember dreading the drive to work when temperatures dipped below -35º F (the worst I ever experienced was -55º F), which was during one particularly long cold snap.

I mean, I could die on my remote drive if I went off into a ditch on Old Murphy Dome Rd. and no one might ever find me, right? I am not kidding, it was a real fear of mine.

But I laugh about it now. Others were much less dramatic than I, but come on, 55 below?!

The University would send out an email early in the morning, on those shockingly cold days (which, to be fair,r were not THAT common and I only remember receiving two ever) that read something like:

“This is a residential campus, and we expect all employees to be at work.” They reminded us to be safe and take precautions, but the message was clear: GET TO WORK!

There is a unique sense of camaraderie among those at work (and students) who braved the drive on those days and survived.

And, there was definitely a feeling of badassery that came with surviving a 30-minute drive into town from the edge of the wild in the hills of Fairbanks in those beyond frigid temperatures.

This is me wearing a beaver fur hat and I have frosty hair from the cold air. I am hugging my husky and wearing a green fleece.

A close-up of my husband, Matt, wearing glasses and bundled in a thick, fur-lined parka, with frost covering their beard and parts of their hood, emphasizing the harsh winter conditions. — Wear down and fur, just do it!

Our friend, Rob, bundled in heavy winter gear, including a blue parka, standing in a snowy landscape at night, pulling a loaded sled behind them. His face is partially covered in frost, highlighting the extreme cold conditions.

Outhouse Life

One of the funniest memories of living in Alaska in winter, especially for those of us who have outhouses, is the dreaded “poopsicle” phenomenon.

First of all, we have to use a foam seat (like that dense blue foam from home insulation) in the outhouse. It’s an absolute necessity to prevent our tushes from getting bitten by the insane deep freeze when we sit down during those cold winters.

But that’s not the end of it! We also have to contend with the hilarious yet slightly horrifying reality of “poopsicles.” These frosty formations, or stalischites as some call them, are a constant reminder of just how frozen Alaskan winters can be.

During the winter, the frozen pile mysteriously grows taller and skinnier. Before it pokes out of the toilet seat, the only solution is to knock it down! Glamorous life, yes?

A moose walking through the snowy forest near our cabin towards our rustic wooden outhouse marked "WOMEN," with a snow-covered fuel barrel in the foreground. — Outside our cabin on Murphy Dome, in Fairbanks.

Water Woes in Freezing Weather

As a newbie to Alaska during my first winter, I had a traumatizing experience that makes me laugh out loud to this day.

I was working at the Pump House Restaurant (it’s good, give it a try!) until late at night. I drove our black Toyota Tundra at the time because it was my job to fill the many 5-gallon water jugs for use at our cabin on my way home from work.

Most cabins in Fairbanks are “dry” cabins, which means there is no plumbing. Water needs to be sourced at The Water Wagon filling stations. I am still not sure how the following thing happened one night, but it was shocking and memorable.

I started the process of filling some jugs, and water sprayed EVERYWHERE at full force (picture a fire truck hose). I do believe someone left the pressure turned on on the hose. That sprayed water froze instantly, sticking to my gloves, my jacket, the side of the truck, and causing a huge icy mess.

My glove stuck to the frozen side of the jug, and I had to go without it until it came unstuck again inside the warmth of the truck. I was really glad I didn’t have any skin exposed during the incident.

Luckily, no one was around to witness the scene, but wow, it was something! You know, because water does turn to ice in those temperatures, pretty much once it hits the air.

A snowy scene on Murphy Dome Road near Fairbanks, Alaska, showing my brother and I standing by a car in the middle of the road, surrounded by snow-covered trees and overcast skies. — Sometimes we’d get out of our car and listen to the eerie sound of power lines in the middle of nowhere.

Cars Won’t Start

It was an exceptionally cold morning. Cars in Alaska need to have block heaters, which are devices installed in the engine to keep the engine warm enough to start in freezing temperatures.

They typically plug into an electrical outlet to keep the engine fluids from freezing overnight or even during the day at work. Most workplaces provide electrical outlets in the parking spaces for employees.

The plug to my car had come undone overnight – or something unfortunate like that happened, so my block heater didn’t work. My car was literally frozen solid.

My neighbor kindly came over on his snowmachine and used a propane weed burner (yes, you read that right!) to heat up my car so I could start it.

It sounds wild, and it is. Only real Alaska pros can do that shit!

Also, the extreme cold in winter causes power lines to make distinct, eerie sounds. When temperatures plummet, the metal in the power lines contracts, and the ice that forms on them adds weight, creating tension.

As a result, the power lines often emit high-pitched, almost musical tones. These sounds can range from faint hums to louder, more pronounced twangs, especially when the wind causes the lines to move. It’s unique and haunting!

A close-up of frosty branches covered in ice crystals against a clear blue sky in Alaska, with a snowy landscape in the background. The sunlight enhances the sparkle of the ice, creating a beautiful winter scene.

How Cold is Alaska in June?

June in Alaska, even in the land of the midnight sun, is quite the mixed bag, as is July. The summer months are not always as dreamy as implied by others. I’ve had nights in McCarthy where I’ve needed a wood fire in our uninsulated cabin to stay warm. Seriously, in June!

It’s not uncommon to wake up to a chilly morning and find yourself wishing for another layer or two and running for that hot cup of coffee!

But, as we know, Alaska always keeps you on your toes. I’ve also experienced days where it hit 80 degrees, and mixed with nonstop sunshine, it’s a sweltering experience. It’s this wild variability that makes Alaska so unique.

Be prepared in both June and July for 45-50º F days and also 70-85º F days, and potentially mixed with rain and mud (especially early June), and you’ll be all set! Layers are always your friend in the summer season.

Inside our cozy cabin in McCarthy, Alaska, featuring a wood-burning stove with a fire going and a cast iron skillet on top. Circular windows provide a view of the lush greenery outside. — At our cabin in McCarthy, one cold June morning.

How Cold Has Alaska Ever Gotten?

The coldest temperature ever recorded in Alaska was an astonishing -80°F (-62°C). This bone-chilling record was set on January 23, 1971, in Prospect Creek, located in the northern part of the state in the Arctic Circle, south of Coldfoot and Wiseman.

Is Alaska Colder Than Canada?

Alaska and Canada both experience a long winter and extreme cold temperatures, but whether one is colder than the other can depend on specific locations and conditions.

Here’s a comparison based on their annual mean temperature and lowest recorded temperatures:

Alaska

Historical Record Low: -80°F (-62°C) at Prospect Creek on January 23, 1971.
Interior: Places like Fairbanks regularly see temperatures drop to -40°F (-40°C) or lower in winter. Fairbanks also sees its fair share of deep snow.
Northern Regions: Areas like Barrow (Utqiaġvik), north of the Brooks Range, experience extreme cold with average winter temperatures ranging from -10°F to -20°F (-23°C to -29°C).

Canada

Historical Record Low: -81.4°F (-63°C) at Snag, Yukon, on February 3, 1947.
Northern Regions: The Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut experience extreme cold, with winter temperatures often dropping below -40°F (-40°C).
Prairie Provinces: Places like Manitoba and Saskatchewan can also experience severe cold, with temperatures occasionally falling below -40°F (-40°C). These areas can have conditions similar to Alaska’s cold weather.

Comparison

Extreme Records: Canada holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in North America (-81.4°F in Snag, Yukon), which is slightly colder than Alaska’s record (-80°F in Prospect Creek).
Average Winter Temperatures: Both Alaska and Canada have regions with similarly harsh winter conditions. The interior and northern parts of both regions can experience prolonged periods of extreme cold.

While Canada has the record for the coldest temperature, both Alaska and Canada have regions that can experience some of the harshest and most extreme cold temperatures in North America.

The difference in coldness can be marginal and often depends on specific locations and conditions.

A small dry cabin in the snowy woods on Murphy Dome in Fairbanks, Alaska. The view is from below the cabin on a hill covered in birch trees on a dark winter day. — This is the dry cabin we lived in on Murphy Dome in Fairbanks for about a year and a half.

Pack Your Layers for the Alaska Chill

Do my pieces of info and stories answer your question? I hope so. I have so many memories of the intense cold in Fairbanks; I could write more, but I don’t like to overwhelm my readers!

Pack smart for your trip to Alaska and always bring an extra fleece! Don’t underestimate how cold you can get in the winter, especially in the month of January, and remember that summers can be surprisingly damp and chilly.

A well-thought-out packing list is your best friend. It’s a good idea to bring waterproof gear as well. Be prepared.

Alaska is beautiful no matter the temperatures, though! Enjoy your travels and update me – I love hearing from my readers.

It’s truly a wonderful place to experience, from the inside passage to the Aleutian Islands, you’ll carry the memories with you, always.

How Cold Is Alaska? Cool Facts You Need to Know!