When Does Alaska Start to get Cold?

news image
Special Stories
27 Sep 2018 8:17 AM
Think of Alaska and you'll probably picture snow, moose, wilderness and COLD! But that's not the case for our northernmost state all year. The summer brings almost endless daylight during its peak. So when does it really start to get cold in Alaska... and how cold does it actually get?   The change in the weather really takes a dramatic turn in October. Average highs fall from 45 in Fairbanks to just 19 degrees between the 1st and the 31st of the month. Lows dip to the single digits. By January it is bitterly cold...  this month typically holds the coldest temperatures of the year on record. Average highs for the month sit at just over 1 degree for Fairbanks with lows well below zero.  The record low for Fairbanks occurred in January of 1934 at only -66. The lowest temperature on record in Alaska also occurred in January at Prospect Creek in 1971 at 80 below zero. That's 111 degrees BELOW the freezing mark. It's not all cold though. Record highs across the state have reached into the 90s.   For Weather Nation: Meteorologist Emily Roehler
All Weather News
More
Tropical Moisture Brings Increased Flood Risk to the Gulf Coast

Tropical Moisture Brings Increased Flood Risk to the Gulf Coast

The start of hurricane season is bringing an

5 Jun 2026 3:30 PM
Brief Summer Warmup in the Northeast Before Weekend Rain

Brief Summer Warmup in the Northeast Before Weekend Rain

A surge of warmer air will bring summer-like

5 Jun 2026 1:23 PM
Severe Storms Target the Midwest on Friday

Severe Storms Target the Midwest on Friday

Strong storms have been surging across the Pl

5 Jun 2026 11:25 AM
Hurricane Prep Week 2026

Hurricane Prep Week 2026

HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE!The Atlantic Hurrica

5 Jun 2026 9:00 AM
X-Class Flare Could Spawn Aurora Thursday Night

X-Class Flare Could Spawn Aurora Thursday Night

Charge your camera batteries! Aurora Borealis

5 Jun 2026 2:15 AM
First Tropical Storm of the Season Forms

First Tropical Storm of the Season Forms

It's Hurricane Prep Week on WeatherNation for

5 Jun 2026 2:10 AM
Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Continues Across South Florida

Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Continues Across South Florida

What to ExpectWith a frontal boundary draped

3 Jun 2026 9:00 PM