Alaska's Daylight Extremes: Not 6 Months Each

Myth buster: Alaska does not have 6 months of continuous day then 6 months of continuous night.

Reality by Latitude

• Utqiaġvik (Barrow), 71°N (above Arctic Circle):
  • Polar day: ~May 10 – Aug 2 (~85 days of 24-hr sun)
  • Polar night: ~Nov 18 – Jan 22 (~65 days of 24-hr darkness)
• Fairbanks, 64.8°N (just below Arctic Circle):
  • Summer solstice: ~21.5 hrs daylight (sun dips ~1.5 hrs)
  • Winter solstice: ~3.5 hrs daylight
• Anchorage, 61.2°N:
  • Summer solstice: ~19.5 hrs daylight
  • Winter solstice: ~5.5 hrs daylight
• Juneau, 58.3°N (Southeast):
  • Summer solstice: ~18.2 hrs
  • Winter solstice: ~6.5 hrs

Why the Myth Persists

Polar circles (66.5°N) mark where at least one 24-hr day/night occurs annually. Only ~1/3 of Alaska is north of the Arctic Circle. Most Alaskans live south of it (Anchorage, Juneau, Kenai, Mat-Su) and experience large seasonal swings but always some day/night cycle.