The Weather Is Like What? | Explore Fairbanks, Alaska (2024)

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What is the best month to visit Fairbanks, Alaska? ›

Best Time to Visit Fairbanks

If you're looking for daylight and warm temps, the best time to visit is June through August, when summer is in full swing. Temperatures can get up into the 80s and it doesn't get completely dark for 70 days straight, from May 17 – July 27.

Fairbanks's climate is classified as a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), with long, very cold winters and short, warm summers. October through February are the snowiest months, and there is usually additional snow from March to May.

Known as the "Golden Heart City," Fairbanks Alaska boasts diverse culture, rich history, a thriving population and economy, and plenty to explore! In the summer, go adventure in the land of the midnight sun. In the winter, take in breathtaking views of the aurora dancing in the night sky.

Aurora Season in Fairbanks, Alaska, is from August 21 through April 21 and spans all four seasons and nine months of the year. Plan your trip during late August and the first half of September to revel in summer activities and attractions by day and chase the northern lights at night.

Three days give you ample time to immerse yourself in the local culture, explore natural wonders, and even tackle some adventures. However, if you find yourself with more time, consider it a bonus. Fairbanks is an underrated gem with many attractions in and around the city.

Fairbanks is known as The Golden Heart of Alaska. While there are many reasons to visit Fairbanks, perhaps the number one reason people come to the city is to view the world-famous northern lights. You're used to seeing blue, grey or clear skies during the day and black skies at night.

Fairbanks not only has plenty of things to do in the summer months, but during the winter it is one of the best places in the world to view the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). It is near the Arctic Circle, which makes the Northern Lights visible from September to April.

Fairbanks January is the coldest part of the year.

If you ask people in Interior Alaska, what's the wettest month of the year, in the eastern Interior it would July. But for the North Slope the Western half of the state, down into Southcentral, August is the wettest month of the year. If you go down to Southeast, it's September and even October in some places.

Fire-grilled wild salmon, Northern fried chicken, prime rib, & beer-battered halibut cooked to perfection.

Is Fairbanks a walkable city? ›

Fairbanks. With a Walk Score of 51, Fairbanks is considered somewhat walkable. It is almost as walkable as Atlanta and more walkable than Las Vegas. If you choose to spend all or part of your Fairbanks vacation on foot, choose the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel & Conference Center as your start and end destination.

Fairbanks's housing expenses are 1% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 115% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 10% higher than the national average.

Fairbanks is one of the best places to view the northern lights in Alaska due to its location, hours of darkness in winter, auroral activity, and the amount of tours, activities, and accommodations dedicated to northern lights viewing.

The best time to visit Fairbanks is from July to August. Shoulder seasons, including May to June and August through September, are also ideal.

The cost of a Northern Lights trip depends on where you go and how long the tour lasts. To give you a rough idea, Northern Lights tours in Tromso, Norway, start at $120/person. Northern Lights tours in Reykjavík, Iceland, begin at around $60/person.

The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Alaska's northern lights season is between late August and late April, peaking in March. However, the season is defined more by its long, dark nights than by solar activity.

The spring and fall months in Alaska offer unique opportunities and lower prices. In our opinion the best time to travel to Alaska is in June, July and August. The best month to visit Alaska is July, when travelers will experience the best combination of weather and wildlife.

April, May, and June usually have a few sunny periods lasting several days. But, these multiday sunny periods can occur into September. Cloudy days and the probability of precipitation start to increase after the middle of July reaching nearly 70% every day during October, which is the peak of the "wet season".

This means that major disturbances from solar storms will make 2024 a super season for the northern lights, and those who head north will be treated to exceptionally bright, brilliant and more frequent celestial shows.