Alaska Weather and Climate

Alaska’s climate is determined by average temperatures and precipitation received statewide over many years. The extratropical storm track runs along the Aleutian Island chain, across the Alaska Peninsula, and along the coastal area of the Gulf of Alaska which exposes these parts of the state to a large majority of the storms crossing the North Pacific. The climate in Juneau and the southeast panhandle is a mid-latitude oceanic climate in the southern sections and a sub Arctic oceanic climate in the northern parts.

The climate in Southcentral Alaska is a subarctic climate due to its short, cool summers. The climate of the interior of Alaska is best described as extreme and is the best example of a true subarctic climate, as the highest and lowest recorded temperatures in Alaska have both occurred in the interior. The climate in the extreme north of Alaska is an Arctic climate with long, very cold winters and short, cool summers.

Alaska Weather Records

Lowest Temperature
-79.8° F (-62° C) at Prospect Creek on January 23, 1971.
(U.S. Record)

Highest Temperature
100° F (38° C) at Fort Yukon on June 27, 1915.

Lowest Annual Normal Temperature
9.3° F (-12.6° C) at Barrow
(U.S. Record)

Lowest Summer Normal Temperature
June–August
36.4° F (2.4° C) at Barrow
(U.S. Record)

Lowest Winter Normal Temperature
December-February
-15.7° F (-26.5° C) at Barter Island
(U.S. Record)