Anchorage (AK) Sunshine Hours by Month

Sunshine plays a big role in understanding the climate of a city. This page shows the total number of hours of direct sunlight per month and the average hours per day in Anchorage, Alaska, United States of America. The numbers reflect climate data gathered over a 30-year period, from 1990 to 2020.

Monthly hours of sunshine

If you're visiting Anchorage, timing is key. In May, you can enjoy up to 289 hours of sunshine, while the shorter days of December provide just 55 hours. The total annual amount of sun is 2069 hours.

Daily hours of sunshine

Seasonal changes in sunshine hours are quite obvious in Anchorage. While May receives considerable daily sunshine with up to 9.6 hours, December marks the darkest time of the year, where sunshine is scarce with only 1.8 hours of sunlight per day.

Average percent of sunshine

On average the sun shines 53% of the time during the day in April, the highest percentage of any month. December has the lowest percentage at 30%.

Anchorage enjoys an average of 2069 hours of sunshine annually. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:

In Lisbon, Portugal, there are approximately 2801 hours of sunshine annually, highlighting its warm and sunny Mediterranean climate.

In contrast, Juneau, Alaska, receives only about 1523 hours of sunshine per year and is known for its very short days in winter and frequently overcast conditions.

The climate in San Francisco, USA, includes 3072 hours of sunshine annually, thanks to its mild coastal weather.

In Brisbane, Australia, the annual sunshine averages 2999 hours, making it one of Australia’s sunniest cities.

September, Anchorage’s wettest month, receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rainfall and has a maximum daytime temperature of 13°C (55°F). During the driest month May you can expect a temperature of 12°C (54°F).

For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, check out our Temperature page. To explore more about precipitation patterns, visit our Anchorage Precipitation page.