Fairbanks Weather Facts

Alaska may be known for its harsh winter climate, but Fairbanksans prefer to think of their  wonderful summers, and enjoy them to the fullest while they can. And many of us revel in snow and winter sports!

Interior temperatures range from 65 degrees below zero in the winter to 90 degrees above in the summer. Gardening is big in the Interior. But when speaking of all Alaska, as of 2010, the highest air temperature recorded in Alaska was 100 degrees F at Fort Yukon in 1915. The lowest temperature, -80 degrees F, was recorded at Prospect Creek Camp in 1971.

Just to give you a taste of winter weather, here is the weather records for each day in January, 2010, as recorded at the airport.

2002

Residents woke Thursday to find it had been raining - three-hundredths of an inch of rain as recorded at the Fairbanks International Airport. It spread a layer of ice on car windshields, but caused even more havoc on road surfaces. Drivers began losing the battle as reports of rollovers, collision, and stranded vehicles filled the media.  By the 25th of the month, state Department of Transportation was experimenting with a costly deicer; attempting to make the roads less slick.

The National Weather Service was unable to list the last time Fairbanks saw rain in January. The rain was a result of warm maritime air pushed across the Alaska Range from the south Bering Sea and north Pacific Ocean.

January is generally considered to be the coldest month of the year in Fairbanks. But by the 18th, the average temperature was 19 degrees above the average temperature of 10 below. As of 2002, the warmest January on record in Fairbanks was 1937, with an average temperature of 16.5 degrees.

2001

#1 on the list was 9.4 inches recorded on 5/12/1992. Second place went to May 13, 1964 when the recorded dump was 4.5 inches.

The city of Fairbanks spent two weeks sweeping up the gravel they had spread on slippery streets last winter, only to have to put it all back Friday! The 3.2 inches of snow also made the month of May 2001 the fourth snowiest month since 1904. The snowiest May award goes to May 1992, when 14.1 inches fell between May 12 and May 16. At least one downhill ski area was able to reopen that time! Average snowfall for May is ½ inch.

Clean-Up Day

Held usually in May, Clean-up Day sees thousands of volunteers participate every year. United Way distributes bright yellow bags for it (like around 61 cases). 

The volunteers pick up trash along roadsides and public areas beginning at 8 a.m., and trucks come by to collect the filled bags beginning about 2 p.m. There are boundaries set (for example, in 2001 they collected the bags only within these boundaries: north to Fox, south to South Cushman Street, east to Salcha, and west to Ester.) Volunteers collecting outside those boundaries were asked to deliver their own bags to the nearest borough dump station and to not just leave them alongside the road.

Alaska Temperature Records

As noted above, as of 2010, the highest air temperature recorded in Alaska was 100 degrees F at Fort Yukon in 1915. The lowest temperature, -80 degrees F, was recorded at Prospect Creek Camp in 1971.

Month by Month

January: Usually thought of as the coldest month (but see story above!.) Mushers begin racing their dogs.

February: Yukon Quest, more dog sled races. 

March: Still good Aurora Viewing. Many think of this month as the beginning of spring. We celebrate with an Ice Art Festival.

April: Not a month for rain showers, but there might be snow. We begin to see some road traffic now, but roads can still be hazardous.

May: Gardeners are definitely thinking about spring by now, and preparing to plant June 1. You have to look quickly, though, for Spring is short. If you live in a northern state, you might want to take a look at the Alaska Gardening Guide, Alaska Vegetables for Northern Climates. Usually in May is the "Great Cleanup" when all Fairbanks turns out to help clean up roadsides (see notes above).

June: Tourist season is well under way. The summer solstice this month inspires lots of Midnight Sun Events.

July: Height of the tourist season. Golden Days (celebration of discovery of gold in Fairbanks) and the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics.

August: Season beginning to wind down, but still very busy, especially during the Tanana Valley State Fair. Fall - another very short season here.

September: If you plan to visit in September, be sure to read our special September page. Many of the tourist attractions will close after Labor Day.

Actually, anyone visiting between September and May should check out our September page, as it lists attractions that stay open year 'round.

October: This month is politics, as the city and borough hold their elections.

November: More politics in years when there are state elections. There are some tourist attractions that are open year round (see that special September page). Thanksgiving.

December: Home owners and business vie with lighting displays this month. Christmas. Some nice Auroral displays can be seen in December.

You might enjoy looking at the Arctic Cam now and then, to see the changing weather in downtown Fairbanks. If you are planning a trip, you may want to try this webpage.

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