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
Flooding Risk Increases as Heavy Rain Targets the Tri-State Area

Flooding Risk Increases as Heavy Rain Targets the Tri-State Area

Tuesday, heavy rainfall moved across the nort

29 Jul 2026 6:00 PM
Over 120 Million Under Heat Alerts

Over 120 Million Under Heat Alerts

An area of high pressure continues to bring t

29 Jul 2026 5:55 PM
Severe Weather: Energy From the Midwest Now in the Southeast

Severe Weather: Energy From the Midwest Now in the Southeast

UPPER MIDWEST - Through Monday, dangerous tor

29 Jul 2026 5:30 PM
Tropics: Fausto Heads towards Hawaii; Genevieve a Major Hurricane

Tropics: Fausto Heads towards Hawaii; Genevieve a Major Hurricane

PacificTropical Depression Fausto continues t

29 Jul 2026 10:15 AM
Fire Weather Continues This Week

Fire Weather Continues This Week

Conditions have been really dry out west. We'

29 Jul 2026 10:05 AM
Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

A stalled boundary over the Southeast will ke

25 Jul 2026 10:55 AM
Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Tuesday brought severe weather again across p

23 Jul 2026 1:15 AM