Point Barrow (AK) Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

On this page, we’ll explore Point Barrow’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in the United States of America.

Monthly Temperature Averages

The weather in Point Barrow experiences significant differences between warm and cold seasons, with big shifts in temperature. Typically, maximum daytime temperatures range from a chilly 8°C in July to a very cold -20°C in the coolest month, January. Nights are cooler, with temperatures generally dropping to -26°C, particularly during the colder months.

The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Point Barrow by month:

The minimum temperature is often recorded between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the highest temperature is usually reached at 3 PM. During this time the sun's heating effect is the strongest.

July, the city’s warmest month, also receives about 31 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 7 days. For more information, please visit our Point Barrow Precipitation page.

Annual Temperatures in the United States of America Compared

The map below shows the annual temperature across the United States of America. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Annual

Annual

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Legend

very warm

warm

pleasant

moderate

cold

very cold

Very warm means maximum temperatures above 30°C. Warm: 22°C to 30°C. Pleasant: 18°C to 22°C Moderate: 12°C to 18°C. Cold: 2°C to 12°C. Very cold: lower than 2°C

Point Barrow Temperatures Compared World Wide

Point Barrow’s average annual maximum temperature is -6°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:

In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual temperature is significantly higher at 21°C, with warmer summers and mild winters.

Glasgow, Scotland, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 13°C, with mild summers and cold winters.

In Seoul, South Korea, the average annual temperature is 18°C, featuring distinct seasons.

In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual temperature is 21°C, expect warmer summers and milder winters than Amsterdam.

How are these Temperatures Measured?

Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.

This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.

Sea vs. Land Temperatures

The influence of nearby oceans or large water bodies significantly affects local temperatures:

Ocean Influence: Coastal regions tend to have more stable temperatures, as large bodies of water absorb and release heat slowly. This often results in milder winters and cooler summers compared to inland areas.
Continental Climates: Landmasses well away from large bodies of water tend to show greater extremes in temperature, having hotter summers and colder winters because of the absence of water as a moderating influence.

For more detailed information about Point Barrow’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Point Barrow climate page.