The length of darkness in Alaska varies greatly depending on the location and time of year, due to the state’s high latitude. Alaska experiences extreme differences in day length between summer and winter, especially the farther north you go.
1. In the Far North (e.g., Barrow/Utqiaġvik)
- Winter Darkness: In the northernmost city, Utqiaġvik (formerly known as Barrow), there is a period during the winter when the sun does not rise at all. This period, known as the “polar night,” lasts for about 65 days, from around mid-November to late January.
- Summer Daylight: During summer, Utqiaġvik experiences the “midnight sun,” where the sun doesn’t set for about two months (roughly from mid-May to late July).
2. In the Interior (e.g., Fairbanks)
- Winter Darkness: In Fairbanks, located further south, the situation is less extreme. Fairbanks gets about 3-4 hours of daylight at the shortest day of the year, which is the winter solstice (around December 21). However, the amount of twilight and partial light extends the “darkness” period.
- Summer Daylight: Fairbanks also experiences long days in the summer, with the sun setting only around midnight and rising again just a few hours later.
3. Southern Alaska (e.g., Anchorage)
- Winter Darkness: In Anchorage, daylight during winter is more typical of most northern cities, with about 5-6 hours of daylight at the winter solstice.
- Summer Daylight: In summer, the sun sets late and rises early, giving around 19-20 hours of daylight at the peak of summer.
Overall, the length of darkness can last from just a few hours in the south to several weeks or months in the far north. The further north you are, the more extreme the difference in daylight and darkness between summer and winter.