How long is it dark in Alaska?

The amount of darkness in Alaska varies greatly depending on the time of year and the specific location. Alaska spans a wide range of latitudes, so some regions experience long periods of daylight in summer and long periods of darkness in winter.

Key Factors:

• Northern Alaska (e.g., Barrow / Utqiaġvik):

  • Winter: From late November to late January, the sun does not rise at all. This is known as the "polar night." In the depths of winter, this can last for about 2 months.
  • Summer: Conversely, during the summer months, from mid-May to early August, the sun does not set, resulting in the "midnight sun" phenomenon.

• Anchorage (Southern Alaska):

  • Winter: Anchorage experiences more typical day/night cycles. Around the Winter Solstice (December 21), the sun rises around 10:00 AM and sets around 3:40 PM, giving roughly 6 hours of daylight.
  • Summer: In contrast, around the Summer Solstice (June 21), Anchorage experiences about 19 hours of daylight.

• Other Regions:

  • As you move farther north, the days of darkness and light grow more extreme. The farther south you go in Alaska, the more balanced the daylight and nighttime periods become.

In summary:

• Far north (e.g., Barrow): up to 2 months of darkness in winter.
• Southern regions (e.g., Anchorage): much more moderate, with winter days having about 6 hours of daylight, and summer days reaching around 19 hours of daylight.

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