Climate Insights for Fairbanks

The climate in Fairbanks is cold. The average annual temperature is 0°C and approximately 419mm of precipitation falls per year. August is the wettest month, receiving around 86mm of rainfall. Fairbanks is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, June, August. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to -21°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 113cm accumulating over the season.

Fairbanks has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 45°C from the coldest to warmest months. July is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 24°C with a mean of 18°C. January brings the harshest conditions, with lows dropping to -21°C and an average temperature of -18°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 9°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 11°C shift in average temperatures.

Fairbanks is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 419mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 35mm per month. The wettest month is August, averaging 86mm of rainfall. July and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 14mm. That's 73mm less than August, 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. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 113cm accumulating over the season. December typically sees the most snow at around 24cm.

Fairbanks is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 8km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is April, averaging 9km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in June, with average winds dropping to 7km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently summer in Fairbanks, which began on June 21, 2026. Fairbanks 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 July at around 24°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -21°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (8 days from now).

The best time to visit Fairbanks is during June and July, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 18°C with modest rainfall averaging 57mm per month. By contrast, January can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to -21°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Fairbanks 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. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. 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.