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
System Late Week Roars into the Northeast

System Late Week Roars into the Northeast

It's getting to be that time of year! Systems

14 Oct 2026 5:00 PM
Severe Storms and Flooding Return to the Plains & Midwest

Severe Storms and Flooding Return to the Plains & Midwest

Severe weather has returned to parts of the P

14 Oct 2026 2:10 PM
Tropics: Pacific Stays Hyperactive, Atlantic Quiets Down

Tropics: Pacific Stays Hyperactive, Atlantic Quiets Down

Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hur

14 Oct 2026 2:05 PM
Cooler Air & Snow Invades The Rockies

Cooler Air & Snow Invades The Rockies

A digging trough is bringing cooler temperatu

14 Oct 2026 1:50 PM
Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week, Cooler Air Incoming

Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week, Cooler Air Incoming

More records were broken across the Midwest a

14 Oct 2026 11:00 AM
Rachel Spreading Moisture Across the Southwest

Rachel Spreading Moisture Across the Southwest

Rachel came ashore in far northwestern Mexico

13 Oct 2026 12:10 AM
Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Recapping it's Impacts

Isaias Makes Landfall as A Category 2, Recapping it's Impacts

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, F

12 Oct 2026 11:00 PM