Alaska is the most westerly portion of the North American continent and the most northern state in the United States, reaching almost to the Arctic Circle, which gives people an impression of a land full of snow and ice.
Alaska is divided into five climatic zones, each with its own distinct climate. The maritime zone includes the southeast, the south coast and the southwest islands. A maritime continental zone stretches from Bristol Bay across the west-central area of the state. There is a transitional zone between these two areas which encompasses the southern half of the Copper River zone, Cook Inlet and the northern tip of the south coast. The rest of the Copper River area, the remaining west-central area and the interior of the state make up the continental climatic zone. The northern tip of the state is designated an arctic zone.
Average temperatures fluctuate in each of the climatic zones with a mean annual average in the low 40s Fahrenheit in the south to a frigid 10 degrees in the arctic zone. The maritime zone averages in the 60s during the summer and the 20s in the winter. The transitional zone experiences a greater flux with 60s in the summer and near zero average in the winter. The maritime continental zone has an even greater swing in averages from the low 60s in the summer to minus 10 in the winter. The greatest change in average temperatures is found in the interior where summertime highs can reach the mid-70s before dipping to minus 50 in the winter.
The average rainfall in Alaska is close to 23 inches across the state. Snow plays a major role in the annual precipitation in all regions of Alaska with some regions receiving over 200 inches of precipitation a year.
