Fairbanks weather is a study in extremes, with numbingly cold winters and warm summers, with highs reaching occasionally into the 90’s.
June and July are the warmest months in this city, with highs averaging well into the 70’s and nighttime lows of around.
In stark contrast to the weather of the Inside Passage to the southeast, Fairbanks receives a mere 10 inches of rain a year. For comparison’s sake, Los Angeles receives around 14 inches a year.
While winters are often extremely cold, the city receives only around 65 inches of snow a year. While this is a significant amount, it is hardly overwhelming.
But it’s in the summer when the city experiences truly magnificent weather, with low to moderate rainfall, frequent sunshine, and extremely long Artic days.
FAIRBANKS MONTHLY AVERAGES
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Maximum temperature
2
7
24
42
60
71
73
66
55
32
12
2
Minimum temperature
-19
-15
-3
20
38
49
52
47
35
17
-5
-16
Monthly precipitation
0.74
0.83
0.61
0.55
0.68
1.02
1.87
2.70
2.63
1.89
1.10
1.08
Monthly snowfall
9.6
12.1
9.2
4.9
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.3
8.0
11.5
14.9
Summer weather can be dramatic in the Fairbanks region, with thunder storms appearing out of nowhere.
So if you are planning a trip to the region in the summer, (perhaps as an add-on to an Alaska cruise), make sure to carry a pair of shorts and an umbrella, along with plenty of sun block.
In the winter, pack for extreme cold weather gear, especially if you are planning on viewing the aurora.
Remember, winter nights last upwards to 20 hours, so it is brutally cold most of the day.
Fairbanks weather might be brutal in the winter, but the summers can be beautiful.
