Climate Overview
The climate in Alaska is hot. The average annual temperature is 28°C and approximately 2880mm of precipitation falls per year. July is the wettest month, receiving around 665mm of rainfall. Alaska is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: May, June, April. The coldest months are February, January, March, when temperatures can drop to 25°C.
Temperature
Alaska has relatively stable temperatures year-round, staying within a 6°C range. The warmest month is May, when average highs reach 31°C and the mean temperature sits around 29°C. February is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 25°C and an average of 26°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 3°C between highs and lows.
Precipitation
Alaska is a very wet location, receiving approximately 2880mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 240mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 665mm of rainfall. August and September also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is March, with just 22mm. That's 643mm less than July, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.
Wind
Alaska is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 9km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is July, averaging 11km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in December, with average winds dropping to 7km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 4km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 8km/h in winter, 9km/h in spring, 10km/h in summer, 9km/h in autumn.
Seasons
87 days until Winter
It is currently autumn in Alaska, which began on September 23, 2026. Alaska is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in May at around 31°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in February near 25°C. Winter is next, beginning on December 21, 2026 (87 days from now).
Spring
Temperatures range from 26 to 31°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 218mm for the season, averaging 73mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 9km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 27 to 31°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 1561mm across the season with a monthly average of 520mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 10km/h. Light, breathable clothing is ideal. Perfect conditions for outdoor activities.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 26 to 29°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 894mm across the season with a monthly average of 298mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 9km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 25 to 28°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 208mm for the season, averaging 69mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 8km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Alaska based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.
