6 months of darkness in alaska?
1. Alaska Gets Six Months of 24-Hour Sunlight and Darkness. Interestingly, this myth was perpetrated by our science books for many years. Only the furthest north and south points have equal parts daylight and darkness throughout the year, and Alaska isn't north enough to experience six months of either extreme.
Shortest days of the year
these places only have 3 to 7 hours of daylight , but barrow has 67 days of darkness. So no, there is not 6 months of daylight nor darkness its just a long period of time of darkness which made people think it was 6 months but really it is just 67 days.
The town of Utqiaġvik, Alaska, experiences a polar night every year, beginning in mid-November and ending in mid-January. That means that once the sun sets in November, residents won't see daylight for two months.
The only place in the southern hemisphere to experience polar nights is on Antarctica. In the northern hemisphere, apart from Norway, there are parts of Sweden, Finland, Russia, Canada and the US (Alaska) and Greenland.
Even though residents of Barrow, the northernmost town in Alaska, won't see the sun for 67 days come winter, they enjoy the midnight sun all summer - over 80 days of uninterrupted daylight.
1. Alaska Gets Six Months of 24-Hour Sunlight and Darkness. Interestingly, this myth was perpetrated by our science books for many years. Only the furthest north and south points have equal parts daylight and darkness throughout the year, and Alaska isn't north enough to experience six months of either extreme.
In Barrow, the northernmost place in Alaska, there are 67 days of darkness. But in Fairbanks, right in the middle of the Interior, there are almost four hours of daylight on solstice.
| Current Time: | Jun 25, 2023 at 9:53:11 pm |
|---|---|
| Sunset Today: | 11:41 pm↑ 328° Northwest |
| Moonrise Today: | 1:26 pm↑ 84° East |
| Moonset Today: | 2:06 am↑ 281° West |
| Daylight Hours: | 19 hours, 20 minutes (-47s) |
Fairbanks has long been known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun” with the summer sun shining up to 24 hours a day. Track the precise number of daylight hours for any day of the year on our Midnight Sun Tracker.
For those two hours between sunrise and sunset, it's basically dusk or dawn because it never actually gets dark. This all-day daylight occurs from May 17 through July 27 in Fairbanks.
What state stays dark the longest?
The good news? It will return and then during the summer when it won't set for days.” Darkness lays over Utqiagvik, a constant sight during the town's 65-day polar night. The northern third of Alaska lies above the Arctic Circle, the ring of latitude that encircles the frigid Arctic polar region.
Polar night is a phenomenon in the northernmost and southernmost regions of Earth where night lasts for more than 24 hours. This occurs only inside the polar circles.
The town of Barrow, Alaska (now Utqiagvik), is preparing for its annual "30 Days of Night", a period during the winter with a month-long polar night.
'Can you drive to Alaska from the United States? ' is a common question among travel enthusiasts. As someone who has driven there and back, I can say that it's totally possible. In fact, people from all across the US except Hawaii can drive to this beautiful state through the Alaska Highway.
The polar night is caused by the rotation of the earth in relation to the position of the sun. The earth rotates on a titled axis of around 23.5 degrees. As a result of this axial tilt, there are periods of the year where the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle are either completely exposed or obscured from the sun.
In the winter, Anchorage receives more hours of daylight than most other parts of the state, making it one of the brighter places to enjoy iconic seasonal activities from skiing to dog sledding. Even the shortest day of the year brings nearly 5.5 hours of daylight.
1. Yuma (USA) According to the World Meteorological Organization, Yuma (Arizona) is the sunniest place on earth. It has a total of 11 hours of sunlight in winter and up to 13 in summer.
| Date | Civil Twilight Begin | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| July 06 | 2:33 AM | 11:35 PM |
| July 07 | 2:40 AM | 11:33 PM |
| July 08 | 2:46 AM | 11:32 PM |
| July 09 | 2:51 AM | 11:30 PM |
An average southeast summer can see from 5 to 40 days with temperatures 70OF or greater, and up to 5 days with highs in the 80s. Our hottest days normally occur in June and July, when the days are longest. Temperatures at night often drop into the 40s.
Located near the top half of the northern hemisphere, Alaska is subject to long summer days the area faces towards the sun. As the Earth continues to rotate, the northern hemisphere, specifically Alaska, remains facing the sun, creating nearly 24-hours of daylight.
Does it get dark in Alaska in August?
Fairbanks has long been known as “the Land of the Midnight Sun.” During the Midnight Sun Season which runs from April 22 to August 20 the sun never seems to set.
Alaska Weather in July:
Coastal temperature in Alaska in July: 50-65 degrees & 18 hours of daylight.
The best time to visit Alaska is between mid-June and mid-September. The warmer weather and long days make this a particularly pleasant time of year, with temperatures in the cool-but-comfortable range of 60 to 67°F.
Cities in the northern part of the state receive upwards of 18 hours of sunlight each day. In fact, parts of Alaska receive more sunlight each year than any other state. Barrow residents get to enjoy the midnight sun all summer, with more than 80 straight days of abundant daylight.
In places like Utqiagvik, they enjoy 80 straight days of daylight in the summer months and 67 days of darkness in the winter months. The largest city in Alaska, Anchorage, enjoys 19 hours of daylight on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.
"In the summer, Alaskans like to have blackout curtains and sleeping masks," Drewitz said. "They help keep the room dark." The only problem is, since indoor temperatures can get so warm in the summer, you need some airflow from the outdoors to make it more bearable if you don't have air conditioning.
The town of Utqiaġvik, Alaska — the northernmost town in the US — experiences a polar night every year, beginning in mid-November and ending in mid-January. That means that once the sun sets in November, residents won't see daylight for two months.
Winter temperatures in Alaska range from 0°F / -18°C to -30°F / -35°C from November to March. Finally, while it can rain throughout Alaska's summer, May is often the driest month in Alaska, and September is typically the wettest.
| Date | Civil Twilight Begin | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| June 05 | 2:30 AM | 11:28 PM |
| June 06 | 2:23 AM | 11:29 PM |
| June 07 | 2:14 AM | 11:31 PM |
| June 08 | n/a | 11:32 PM |
The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska is between August and April, when less daylight leads to darker night skies.
What is the longest day in Alaska?
The longest day of the year in Anchorage is 24 hours long and occurs on the summer solstice - June 21st.
According to our State of Safety survey, Alaskans have a low level of concern about their overall safety (40%) and are more likely to feel safe in their state than the average American (53% AK, 50% US). They're also the least likely Americans to think that crime is increasing (61%).
Alaska. This is the country where sun never sets from late May to late July. Beautiful and breathtaking, the country is in darkness in the harsh months of winter. Known for its spectacular glaciers and snow-capped mountains; you can go hiking or sightseeing.
Summer In Alaska
By July, daytime temperatures in the Interior can average in the 70° F range—although it has been known to reach well into the 90s—while temperatures in the coastal areas and higher elevations rarely get above 65° F.
Do you know that there is a place in the world where the sun sets at 12:43 in the night and rises again after only 40 minutes? This stunning view is witnessed at Hammerfest town in Northern Norway. Here, the sun sets at midnight and after just 40 minutes birds start chirping.
Norway, situated in the Arctic Circle, is called the Land of the Midnight Sun, where from May to late July, the sun actually never sets. This means that for around a period of 76 days, the sun never goes down.
On Svalbard, a cluster of islands between Norway and the North Pole, people wear headlamps day and night for two-and-a-half months of the year. That's because it's Polar Night — the period where the sun doesn't rise above the horizon in the Arctic.
Svalbard is the place in Norway where the midnight sun occurs for the longest period. Here, the sun doesn't set between 20 April and 22 August. Cross the Arctic Circle and experience Norway's best-kept secret - without the hassle of driving on Lofoten's narrow roads yourself.
The darkest time of year at the North Pole is the Winter Solstice, approximately December 21. There has been no sunlight or even twilight since early October. The darkness lasts until the beginning of dawn in early March.
On Svalbard, a cluster of islands between Norway and the North Pole, people wear headlamps day and night for two-and-a-half months of the year. That's because it's Polar Night — the period where the sun doesn't rise above the horizon in the Arctic.
Can you fly to Alaska without a passport?
Do I need a passport to go to Alaska? United States residents do not need a passport to go to Alaska.
U.S. citizens flying between another state and Alaska do not need a passport. However, those driving through Canada or traveling on a ferry or cruise ship with stops in Canada are required to carry one. All non U.S. citizens will need a passport and possibly other documents to enter.
Alaska - Subaru Outback
Alaska is known for its harsh winters and mountainous terrain, making it essential for Alaskans to own a vehicle that can handle extreme weather and rough terrain.
Many believe that Alaska only has two weather conditions: cold and freezing cold. Contrary to popular beliefs, Alaska is pretty warm in the winter season (May to September). Temperatures can warm-up from 70°F (21.1°C) to 100°F (37.8°C), depending on the location.
Polar bears occur throughout the northern polar region. In the winter, polar bears in Alaska are found as far south as St. Lawrence Island and occasionally move down to St. Matthew Island and the Kuskokwim Delta.
Locations around Earth's equator only receive about 12 hours of light each day. In contrast, the north pole receives 24 hours of daylight for a few months in the summer and total darkness for months in the winter.
| Month | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Sept | 41.4°F | 55.0°F |
| Oct | 28.3°F | 40.0°F |
| Nov | 15.9°F | 27.7°F |
| Dec | 11.4°F | 23.7°F |
“If you live above the Arctic Circle, there will be a day when the sun sets for the rest of winter. The good news? It will return and then during the summer when it won't set for days.” Darkness lays over Utqiagvik, a constant sight during the town's 65-day polar night.
Fairbanks has long been known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun” with the summer sun shining up to 24 hours a day.
Fairbanks has long been known as “the Land of the Midnight Sun.” During the Midnight Sun Season which runs from April 22 to August 20 the sun never seems to set. Wake up in the middle of the night to find the sun shining brightly, people out biking and gardening and walking the dog.
How many months does Alaska stay light?
Between March 19 and September 23, Anchorage gets more hours of daily sunlight than anywhere in the other 49 states. Alaska adventures fill all those daylight hours. Hiking, biking, flightseeing, and dog sledding continue well past 8 p.m. Restaurants make use of decks or set out bistro tables on the side walk.
The town of Barrow, Alaska (now Utqiagvik), is preparing for its annual "30 Days of Night", a period during the winter with a month-long polar night. As the town gets ready, a stranger rows ashore from a large ship and sabotages the town's communications and transport to the outside world.
Alaska Weather in August:
Interior temperature in Alaska in August: 45-65 degrees & 18 hours of daylight.
Located near the top half of the northern hemisphere, Alaska is subject to long summer days the area faces towards the sun. As the Earth continues to rotate, the northern hemisphere, specifically Alaska, remains facing the sun, creating nearly 24-hours of daylight.
The earth is rotating at a tilted axis relative to the sun, and during the summer months, the North Pole is angled towards our star. That's why, for several weeks, the sun never sets above the Arctic Circle. Svalbard is the place in Norway where the midnight sun occurs for the longest period.
Alaska is not actually dark for six months of the year, even in our northern cities. The entire state experiences varying hours of sunlight and darkness all year long. The long, dark hours of the winter season are due to Alaska's location on the globe.
