Sun Sets for the Final Time in Alaska

news image
Special Stories
19 Nov 2021 6:06 PM
Utqiagvik, Alaska (formerly known as Barrow) has entered what is known as "polar night". That means the sun has set for the final time and won't rise again for another 65 days! Set your calendar reminder for January 22nd, 2022 because that's when Utqiagvik will see the sun again (pending cloud cover!) https://twitter.com/NWSFairbanks/status/1461478544987492353 On Thursday as the sun was setting around 1:30 p.m. local time, the city had a very decent sunset and night sky! https://twitter.com/Climatologist49/status/1461481301106561027 Right now, we are about two-thirds of the way between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice. In this image above, just go about two-thirds of the way left of where it says Sep 22-23 and that’s where you’ll find where we currently sit. Note the Northern Hemisphere, where Utqiagvik is, and how the location tilts away from the sun at this point of the year. The tilt is so great that, relative to ground level in northern Alaska, the sun never lifts above the horizon during parts of the winter. So it’s a goodnight to the folks in Utqiagvik until next year. Conversely, northern Alaska experiences non-stop daylight around the Summer Solstice where the sun never sets for weeks on end.
All Weather News
More
Tropical Update: EPAC Active; Hanna Forms in the Atlantic

Tropical Update: EPAC Active; Hanna Forms in the Atlantic

The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active

29 Sep 2026 1:40 AM
Another Round of Flooding Possible for the Southwest

Another Round of Flooding Possible for the Southwest

In the last month, the southwestern states of

29 Sep 2026 1:35 AM
Flood Threat to Bring Big Changes to Texas

Flood Threat to Bring Big Changes to Texas

Hurricane Polo is moving north, set to make l

29 Sep 2026 1:30 AM
Powerful Nor’easter Slams East Coast over the Weekend

Powerful Nor’easter Slams East Coast over the Weekend

A Nor'easter...in September? While most peopl

28 Sep 2026 6:30 PM
Nolo Moving West; Flooding Still Possible on Kauai

Nolo Moving West; Flooding Still Possible on Kauai

Hurricane Nolo spared the Hawaiian Islands fr

28 Sep 2026 12:45 PM
Major Flooding Possible in the Desert Southwest This Week

Major Flooding Possible in the Desert Southwest This Week

FLASH FLOODINGIt has been a very active week

24 Sep 2026 12:10 PM
More Flooding Concerns Out East

More Flooding Concerns Out East

WHAT TO EXPECTRecord rainfall fell this weeke

22 Sep 2026 1:45 PM