Warmest town in Alaska might seem like a paradox to many as the state is known for its freezing temperatures and snowy landscapes.
When you think about Alaska, you may conjure up images of Denali National Park, the Northern Lights, or vast stretches of wildness in the interior.
But one thing is certain while considering these things: very cold and snowy weather conditions. However, this is not true for the entire state.
So, what is the warmest city in Alaska?
The warmest town in Alaska is Sitka.
In this post, I’ll explore in detail the warmest town in Alaska and also talk about some of the warmest cities in Alaska.
So, let’s get started.
So, which is the warmest place in Alaska? The answer, as previously mentioned, is Sitka.
Sitka is located on the outer coast of Alaska’s Inside Passage, at the foot of beautiful glacially carved mountains facing the Pacific Ocean on Baranof Island.
It is at the center of the Tongass National Forest, the world’s largest temperate rain forest.
Sitka town has a population of 9,061 people and has vistas of island-studded waterways and woods down to the water’s edge.
The rich history of Sitka is an intriguing combination of native Tlingit culture and Russian history.
Sitka is only accessible by air or water and offers breathtaking landscape, fishing, hiking, plentiful wildlife, and Alaska’s most culturally rich history and community.
Sitka’s Climate
Summers in Sitka are cool and mainly cloudy with winters being long, very cold, windy, and gloomy. The town experiences rain throughout the year.
All through the year, the temperature normally ranges from 33°F to 62°F, with temperatures rarely falling below 22°F or rising over 68°F.
Temperatures
From June to September, the warm season lasts three months, with an average daily high temperature exceeding 58°F.
August is the hottest month in Sitka, with average highs of 62°F and lows of 53°F.
From November to March, the chilly season lasts 4.5 months, with an average daily high temperature of less than 44°F.
Sitka’s coldest month is January, with average lows of 33°F and highs of 40°F.
Precipitation
The likelihood of rain in Sitka varies greatly throughout the year.
From late August to late March, the wet season lasts 7 months, with a greater than 53% chance of rain on any given day.
October has the rainiest days in Sitka, with an average of 22 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation.
From March to August, the dry season lasts 5 months.
June has the fewest wet days in Sitka, with an average of 11 days with at least 0.04 inches of rain.
Rainfall
Monthly rainfall in Sitka varies greatly depending on the season.
Sitka receives rain throughout the year.
October is the wettest month in Sitka, with an average rainfall of 12.3 inches.
June had the least rain in Sitka, with an average rainfall of 3.4 inches.
Snowfall
Monthly snowfall in Sitka varies according to the season.
From late November through March, the snowy season lasts four months, with a typical 31-day snowfall of at least 1.0 inch.
January has the most snow in Sitka, with an average snow of 2.8 inches.
The snowless season lasts eight months, from late March to November.
The least amount of snow occurs around July 13, with a total snowfall of 0 inches.
Other Warmest Places to Live in Alaska
Ketchikan
Due to its location at the southern extremity of the Inside Passage, Ketchikan is renowned as Alaska’s “first city”.
It is the first city you reach when you sail north, and for numerous tourists, it is their first experience of the splendor and majesty of Alaska.
Ketchikan is located approximately 90 miles north of Prince Rupert, British Columbia, and borders the cliffs that create the shoreline along the southwest corner of Revillagigedo Island.
Ketchikan is centered on Tongass Avenue, which is 31 miles long yet never exceeding ten blocks wide.
Many stores and homes are erected on stilts out over the lake on one side of the boulevard, while on the opposite side they hold on to the steep hills and typically have winding wooden staircases up to their entrances.
Ketchikan Climate
Summers in Ketchikan are cool and mainly cloudy while the winters are long-lasting, very cold, and overcast. The area experiences rain all year.
The temperature normally ranges from 31°F to 65°F throughout the year, rarely falling below 19°F or rising over 72°F.
From early June to early September, the warm season lasts three months, with a mean daily high temperature exceeding 59°F.
August is the hottest month in Ketchikan, with average highs of 63°F and lows of 53°F.
From November to March, the cold season lasts more than four months, with a mean daily high temperature of less than 44°F.
January is the coldest month in Ketchikan, with a mean low of 32°F and high of 39°F.
Monthly rainfall in Ketchikan varies greatly depending on the season.
Ketchikan experiences rain all year.
October is the wettest month in Ketchikan, with a typical rainfall of 13.5 inches.
June has the least rain in Ketchikan, with a typical rainfall of 4.5 inches.
When it comes to snowfall, the area experiences seasonal variation with the snow season lasting close to 5 months.
January experiences the most snow while July experiences the least snow with an accumulation of 0 inches.
Klawock
Klawock is a town of around 900 people on Prince of Wales Island’s west coast, 56 miles from Ketchikan, 7 miles from Craig, and 24 miles from Hollis.
For thousands of years, Klawock has been a community for the Alaska Native Tlingit people and is still a prominent focus of Tlingit culture.
Klawock has historically and continues to be intimately associated with the fishing business, first with the Tlingit people and later with the opening of Alaska’s first cannery in Klawock in 1878.
Aside from fishing, the economy is supported by a local sawmill and timber enterprises in the region.
Klawock offers a dock and boat launch for exploring the neighboring bays, inlets, and islands, as well as an airport allowing access off the island via Ketchikan.
Klawock Climate
Summers in Klawock are cool and mainly cloudy while winters are long, cold, and gloomy. The area experiences rain all year.
Throughout the year, the temperature normally ranges from 32°F to 64°F, with temperatures rarely falling below 20°F or rising over 71°F.
From June to September, the warm season lasts more than three months, with an average daily high temperature above 59°F.
August is the hottest month, with average highs of 64°F and lows of 52°F.
From November to March, the cold season lasts four months, with an average daily high temperature of less than 44°F.
December is the coldest month, with an average low of 33°F and high of 40°F.
Monthly snowfall in Klawock varies significantly seasonally.
From November to March, the snowy season lasts somewhat more than 4 months, with a typical 31-day snowfall of at least 1 inch.
January has the most snow at Klawock, with an average snowfall of 4.6 inches.
From March through November, the year is snow-free for more than 7 months.
The smallest amount of snow falls in July, with an average total accumulation of 0 inches in some days.
What Place in Alaska Has the Warmest Summers?
Having looked at the warmest town in Alaska, let’s now look at the place with the warmest summers in Alaska.
Fairbanks is the place in Alaska with the warmest summers.
Summers in the city are pleasant, with daytime temperatures ranging from 66 °F to 73 °F between June and August.
Temperatures at night range from 48 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit.
These temperatures are unusually high by Alaskan norms.
Anchorage, which has the second warmest summers, has an average high temperature of 63-66 °F, so it’s substantially colder.
Fairbanks has the lowest relative humidity among Alaska’s three largest cities.
Fairbanks also has the sunniest weather in Alaska, with 2,105 hours of sunshine per year, the majority of which fall between March and July.
June is the ideal month to visit Fairbanks because it is the second hottest and certainly the sunniest.
What Major City in Alaska Has the Best Weather?
Having looked at the warmest town in Alaska and the place that has the warmest summers, let’s look at the major city with the best weather.
When it comes to the best weather among the major cities, Juneau takes the first position.
Winters in Juneau are mild by Alaskan standards, with typical high temperatures of 33-36 °F and low temperatures of 24-26 °F.
Summers in Alaska are also relatively warm, with temperatures ranging from 62 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 47 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
The biggest disadvantage of Juneau’s climate is its low amount of daylight hours, which is offset by unusually high annual rainfall and snowfall.
It receives 1,531 hours of sunshine on average, which is significantly less than Anchorage (2,061) or Fairbanks (2,105).
The other two cities like Fairbanks and Anchorage, however, are substantially colder in the summer.
Therefore, even with more sun, it’s difficult to position them above Juneau.
Final Thoughts on the Warmest Town in Alaska
The warmest town in Alaska is Sitka.
Sitka experiences cool and cloudy summers while the winters are long, cold, windy and cloudy.
There are other towns in Alaska with warm weather that can provide you with a different experience when it comes to the holiday season.
So, plan your Alaskan getaway today and experience a different weather in this rather cold state.
Frequently Asked Questions
The city in Alaska with the worst weather is arguably Barrow. The city is located above the Arctic Circle, where temperatures can drop as low as -34°C in winter. Barrow also experiences constant darkness from November to January, making it the darkest place in Alaska. Additionally, the wind chill factor in Barrow can make the temperature feel even colder. The city also receives high amounts of snow and experiences strong winds throughout the year.
NO, Alaska has four distinct seasons. Summers in Alaska may be warm! Summer lasts from May to August, and while this period may seem brief, it delivers mild, warm weather to the region.
YES. Alaska is a pretty friendly place to retire, tax-wise. There’s no state income tax in Alaska. If you decide to pick up a job, you’ll enjoy an instant boost in your paycheck
YES, there are warm places in Alaska like Sitka, Haines and Angoon
Alaska’s panhandle is located in the state’s southeast and rarely experiences snow. It is on the coast and in the south, so snow is a rare treat rather than a regular inconvenience. Kodiak Island, the Aleutian Peninsula’s Pacific side, and the Aleutian Islands are also less chilly than the rest of the state.
The part of Alaska that stays dark for a prolonged period is the northernmost region, including cities such as Barrow, Prudhoe Bay, and Utqiagvik. These areas are located within the Arctic Circle and experience a natural phenomenon called the polar night, where the sun remains below the horizon for at least 24 hours a day during the winter solstice. This period of darkness lasts for approximately 65 days, starting from mid-November and ending in mid-January.
