The amount of darkness in Alaska varies widely depending on the time of year and the location within the state due to its high latitude. Here’s a breakdown:
Winter Months
- North of the Arctic Circle (e.g., Utqiaġvik, formerly Barrow):
- During the winter, places above the Arctic Circle experience a phenomenon called polar night, when the sun does not rise above the horizon for an extended period.
- In Utqiaġvik, this period lasts about two months, from mid-November to mid-January.
- Further South (e.g., Anchorage, Fairbanks):
- Anchorage: The shortest day (around December 21, the winter solstice) is about 5.5 hours of daylight.
- Fairbanks: The shortest day is about 3.5 hours of daylight.
Summer Months
- North of the Arctic Circle:
- During the summer, the same areas experience the opposite phenomenon, midnight sun, where the sun does not set for an extended period.
- In Utqiaġvik, this period lasts about 2.5 months, from late May to early August.
- Further South:
- Anchorage and Fairbanks do not experience a full midnight sun but have very long days. Around the summer solstice, Anchorage has nearly 19.5 hours of daylight, and Fairbanks has about 21 hours.
Twilight Hours
- Even during polar night, some locations experience periods of twilight (when the sun is just below the horizon), providing a few hours of dim light each day.
The duration of darkness and light in Alaska showcases its unique position near the poles, where the tilt of the Earth’s axis has dramatic effects on day and night lengths.