Juneau

Alaska Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Alaska, the United States of America in January.

Planning a trip to Alaska, the United States of America this January? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in Alaska in January

Alaska, the United States of America is a region in the United States of America. Alaska, the United States of America offers a broad spectrum of weather patterns. In January, one might encounter temperatures that range from very cold to cold, and precipitation levels ranging from low to heavy. It's the height of winter.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from very cold in Point Barrow at -20°C (-4°F) to cold in Ketchikan at 4°C (39°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 0°C (32°F) in Ketchikan and -26°C (-15°F) in Point Barrow. Typically, it's the chilliest month of the year. Making it a great time for staying indoors and enjoying the warmth. Make sure you're prepared by packing the right winter outfits.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Alaska, the United States of America, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snowfall in Point Barrow with an average of 14 mm (0.6 in) to heavy snowfall in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve with 423 mm (17 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is quite limited in many locations during January. Anchorage receives roughly 85 hours of sunlight. For destinations with more sunshine, our weather planner offers alternatives worldwide.

Explore Alaska by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Alaska — and find the best time to visit. (based on Anchorage)

Best Places to Visit in Alaska in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Alaska.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Alaska

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Alaska, the United States of America?

Temperature range in Alaska (January)

Precipitation variation in Alaska (January)

Anchorage

In January Anchorage generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -5°C (23°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -10°C (14°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-3°C (27°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Min temperature
-9°C (16°F)
-10°C (14°F)
-8°C (18°F)
Monthly sun hours
55 hours
85 hours
123 hours
Monthly snowfall
90 mm (3.5 in)
63 mm (2.5 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
11 days
8 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Fairbanks

In January Fairbanks generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -15°C (5°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -23°C (-9°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-13°C (9°F)
-15°C (5°F)
-10°C (14°F)
Min temperature
-21°C (-6°F)
-23°C (-9°F)
-20°C (-4°F)
Monthly sun hours
38 hours
56 hours
119 hours
Monthly snowfall
17 mm (0.7 in)
17 mm (0.7 in)
16 mm (0.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
7 days
6 days
Weather conditions

Juneau

In January Juneau generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -2°C (28°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C (19°F) and heavy monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-1°C (30°F)
-2°C (28°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Min temperature
-6°C (21°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-6°C (21°F)
Monthly sun hours
43 hours
82 hours
91 hours
Monthly snowfall
303 mm (12 in)
270 mm (11 in)
227 mm (8.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
19 days
17 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Kenai

In January Kenai generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -2°C (28°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C (19°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-1°C (30°F)
-2°C (28°F)
0°C (32°F)
Min temperature
-6°C (21°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-6°C (21°F)
Monthly snowfall
89 mm (3.5 in)
65 mm (2.6 in)
65 mm (2.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
11 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Soldotna

In January Soldotna generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -3°C (27°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -9°C (16°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-3°C (27°F)
0°C (32°F)
Min temperature
-8°C (18°F)
-9°C (16°F)
-7°C (19°F)
Monthly snowfall
87 mm (3.4 in)
62 mm (2.4 in)
64 mm (2.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
11 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Alaska, in the United States of America.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Alaska in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Anchorage -5°C (23°F) -10°C (14°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Fairbanks -15°C (5°F) -23°C (-9°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Juneau -2°C (28°F) -7°C (19°F) 270 mm (11 in)
Kenai -2°C (28°F) -7°C (19°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Soldotna -3°C (27°F) -9°C (16°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Ketchikan 4°C (39°F) 0°C (32°F) 349 mm (14 in)

Alaska weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Alaska, the United States of America in January?

Alaska, the United States of America typically experiences poor weather in January, part of the winter season. Daytime highs in Anchorage average around -5°C (23°F), and temperatures drop to about -10°C (14°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in Alaska, the United States of America in January?

Average temperatures in Alaska, the United States of America during January range from a nighttime low near -10°C (14°F) to a daytime high around -5°C (23°F) in Anchorage.

Does Alaska, the United States of America get a lot of snow in January?

January is on the drier side in Alaska, the United States of America. Anchorage averages only about 63 mm (2.5 in), with most days staying dry.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Alaska, the United States of America?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Anchorage, January may not be the ideal time to visit Alaska, the United States of America.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in July offering mostly pleasant weather in Anchorage. On the other hand, the weather in January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Alaska.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to the United States of America? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in the United States of America.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.