One of the more interesting and challenging aspects of working in Alaska is the weather. Everyone knows that Alaska is a cold place in the winter. However, there are many interesting facts about Alaska’s weather that most people do not know. One resource that we consult often is TravelAlaska.com. One reason we like this resource is that it offers information about pretty much everything one would want to know about Alaska; especially if you are planning a trip there. Here at Alaska Air Forwarding, we plan many trips to Alaska!
Alaska is the largest state, by land mass, in the United States and is made up of several different regions, each with its own weather patterns. For example, the climate along Alaska’s Pacific coast is similar to Seattle’s maritime climate, while the Northern part of the state experiences much more extremes of temperatures. Here’s a breakdown of each region’s temperatures.
Arctic: Alaska's Arctic region is quite cold. January temperatures can range from -19 on the low side to -8 on the high side. August tends to be the warmest month with a high of about 41 degrees.
Inside Passage: The Inside Passage of Alaska sees more steady temps throughout the year with the coldest temps reported being in the low 20’s and the highest in the low to mid 60’s.
Interior: The Interior of Alaska sees much more extreme weather with January and February being the coldest months, falling to -18 and -15 degrees respectively. However, June and July are very warm and pleasant with temperatures in the low 70’s.
Southcentral: The Southcentral part of the state tends to experience more steady temps throughout the year, much like that of the Inside passage.
Southwest: The Southwest region of the state typically sees very cold temps in the early part of the year but then it warms up through the remainder of the year with temperatures ranging from the 20’s to 60’s.
Here are some other interesting facts about Alaska’s weather:
- Alaskans who live in the colder regions of the state can actually use their basem*nts as a freezer
- Even the slightest changes in temperatures can significantly impact the state’s Ecosystem
- The coldest temperature ever recorded in Alaska was -80 degrees in Prospect Creek.
- Taku winds happen 3 or 4 times per year in Juneau between the months of March and October. These winds can have gusts of up to 100 miles per hour! Brrrrrrr
TIPS FOR PREPARING
If you plan to travel to Alaska, make sure that you are prepared. Pack clothing that is good for layering; this is very helpful when it comes to the variations in temperatures. Also, be sure and check current weather conditions in the area you plan to visit; sometimes the weather can surprise you. Finally, make sure you allow enough time to really explore and enjoy all the beauty Alaska offers.
SHIPPING TO ALASKA
As a business whose sole focus is to ship to and from Alaska, we have a system in place to provide reliable shipping services year-round. Whether you need to ship to the Far North, Inside Passage, Interior or another region, Alaska Air Forwarding has the experience to get your good there in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Contact us and let’s discuss your unique shipping needs.
