Alaska's Climate

Alaska is a land of contrasts.

The climate in southeast Alaska is similar to that of Seattle, with a mid-latitude oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb) in the southern sections and a subarctic oceanic climate (Köppen Cfc) in the northern parts. This is both the wettest part of Alaska as well as the warmest; it is the only part of the state in which the average daytime high temperature is above freezing during the winter.

The climate in southcentral Alaska, is generally mild by Alaskan standards, due in large part to its proximity to the coast. It is a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc) due to its short, cool summers.

The climate of Western Alaska is a subarctic oceanic climate in the southwest and a continental subarctic climate farther north. Precipitation in this area varies widely: the northern side of the Seward Peninsula receives 10 inches (250 mm) of precipitation annually, while some locations between Dillingham and Bethel receive around 100 inches (2,540 mm).[6]

Alaska's interior has an extreme subarctic climate. Summer temperatures may reach into the 80s°F (near 30 °C), while winter temperatures can fall below −60 °F (-51 °C). Interior locations often receive less than 10 inches (250 mm) precipitation annually.

The climate in the extreme north of Alaska is a polar climate (Köppen ET) with long, very cold winters and short, cool summers. Even in July, the average low temperature is barely above freezing in Barrow, at 34 °F (1 °C).[7] Precipitation is light in this part of Alaska, with many places averaging less than 10 inches (250 mm) per year, mostly in the form of snow which stays on the ground almost the entire year.