Is it true Alaska is dark for 6 months?

1. Alaska Gets Six Months of 24-Hour Sunlight and Darkness. Interestingly, this myth was perpetrated by our science books for many years. Only the furthest north and south points have equal parts daylight and darkness throughout the year, and Alaska isn't north enough to experience six months of either extreme.

What months of the year is it dark in Alaska?

In fact, the northernmost city in America – Utqiaġvik, Alaska, formerly known as Barrow – has near-constant darkness from mid- to late November until late January because the sun never rises during that 60-plus-day period. Hours of daylight (sunrise to sunset) on the winter solstice.

Where in the world is it dark for 6 months?

Polar nights around the world

The only place in the southern hemisphere to experience polar nights is on Antarctica. In the northern hemisphere, apart from Norway, there are parts of Sweden, Finland, Russia, Canada and the US (Alaska) and Greenland.

How long does it stay dark in Alaska?

In places like Utqiagvik, they enjoy 80 straight days of daylight in the summer months and 67 days of darkness in the winter months. The largest city in Alaska, Anchorage, enjoys 19 hours of daylight on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

How long does it stay daylight in Alaska?

For those two hours between sunrise and sunset, it's basically dusk or dawn because it never actually gets dark. This all-day daylight occurs from May 17 through July 27 in Fairbanks.

Darkness in Alaska | Is It Really As Bad As They Say It Is?

How long does Alaska go without daylight?

In Barrow, the northernmost village in the state, there is no daylight for 64 days in the heart of the winter. The sun does not rise above the horizon. Deep winter in the northern hemisphere is summer in the south.

What month is 24 hour daylight in Alaska?

In fact from May 17 until July 27, for seventy straight days, the sun never dips far enough below the horizon for the sky to ever get dark. Midnight sunsets seamlessly merge with sunrises, no darkness just light. The everlasting light creates an irresistible, intangible energy.

Does Alaska have 4 months of darkness?

Alaska Gets Six Months of 24-Hour Sunlight and Darkness

Interestingly, this myth was perpetrated by our science books for many years. Only the furthest north and south points have equal parts daylight and darkness throughout the year, and Alaska isn't north enough to experience six months of either extreme.

Does Alaska have 90 days of darkness?

The town of Utqiaġvik, Alaska — the northernmost town in the US — experiences a polar night every year, beginning in mid-November and ending in mid-January. That means that once the sun sets in November, residents won't see daylight for two months.

Is it expensive to live in Alaska?

The cost of living in Alaska is 29% higher than the national average. Housing is 18% higher than the national average, while utilities are 36% higher. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 30% higher than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs 30% higher.

Which country has 23 hours of darkness?

Svalbard, Norway (for the Polar Night)

Svalbard is a group of islands between Norway and the North Pole and is pretty much as far north as you can go without joining an arctic science expedition.

What country has 9 months of darkness?

Located more than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø, Norway, is home to extreme light variation between seasons. During the Polar Night, which lasts from November to January, the sun doesn't rise at all.

What country has 30 days of darkness?

In the Norwegian city of Tromsø, the dark hours can last for up to a month a half. If you visit Hammerfest, both the northernmost city in the world and one of the two oldest towns in Norway, the polar night lasts for almost two months.

How do Alaskans deal with darkness?

While some Alaskans embrace winter and can resolve the darkness without experiencing forms of depression, others cope by using UV lights, antidepressants and vitamin D supplements.

How cold does Alaska get?

Winter temperatures in Alaska range from 0°F / -18°C to -30°F / -35°C from November to March. Finally, while it can rain throughout Alaska's summer, May is often the driest month in Alaska, and September is typically the wettest.

Can I drive through Canada to Alaska without a passport?

U.S. citizens flying between another state and Alaska do not need a passport. However, those driving through Canada or traveling on a ferry or cruise ship with stops in Canada are required to carry one.

What was the warmest day in Alaska?

The highest and lowest recorded temperatures in Alaska are both in the Interior. The highest is 100 °F (37.8 °C) in Fort Yukon on June 27, 1915.

How hot does it get in Alaska?

In summer, temperatures can reach 90 °F (32.2 °C), however the park average rests between 50 and 60 °F (10 to 15.6 °C). Even with warmer daytime temperatures, it can drop below freezing overnight. The summer season is a short one in Alaska, and the weather becomes even more variable in mid-August as fall approaches.

Is it always cold in Alaska?

Many believe that Alaska only has two weather conditions: cold and freezing cold. Contrary to popular beliefs, Alaska is pretty warm in the winter season (May to September). Temperatures can warm-up from 70°F (21.1°C) to 100°F (37.8°C), depending on the location.

What is the crime rate in Alaska?

The most dangerous state in the USA is Alaska, as it has the highest combined violent and property crime rate out of any state. Out of a population of 736,081, Alaska's crime rate was 32.14 per 1,000 people in 2022, making it the state with the highest crime rate.

Which country has longest night in the world?

Every year, the longest night in the world is celebrated in Ushuaia on June 21, when the city gets decked out and sleeping is forbidden.

Which country has the longest daylight?

1. Yuma (USA) According to the World Meteorological Organization, Yuma (Arizona) is the sunniest place on earth. It has a total of 11 hours of sunlight in winter and up to 13 in summer.

Which part of Alaska stays dark?

Darkness lays over Utqiagvik, a constant sight during the town's 65-day polar night. The northern third of Alaska lies above the Arctic Circle, the ring of latitude that encircles the frigid Arctic polar region.

What is the shortest day in Alaska?

The December solstice (winter solstice) in Anchorage is at 6:27 pm on Thursday, December 21, 2023. In terms of daylight, this day is 13 hours, 54 minutes shorter than the June solstice. In most locations north of the equator, the shortest day of the year is around this date.

Can u get to Alaska by car?

You can drive to Alaska from anywhere in the United States except Hawaii. From the majority of USA, you need to take the Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek in British Columbia except California, Oregon and Washington State where the Dease Lake Highway is a better route to Yukon.