Forecast by:  | 11 Sep Fri | 12 Sep Sat | 13 Sep Sun | 14 Sep Mon | 15 Sep Tue | 16 Sep Wed | 17 Sep Thu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | 15° 8° | 17° 11° | 15° 8° | 15° 8° | 15° 10° | 15° 9° | 12° 8° |
| Precipitation | 4% | 13% | 10% | 54% | 85% | 27% | 29% |
| Humidity | 80% | 79% | 78% | 79% | 80% | 68% | 76% |
| Wind | 8 km/h | 11 km/h | 7 km/h | 5 km/h | 22 km/h | 30 km/h | 8 km/h |
Best time to visit Anchorage
June and July are the strongest months for Anchorage, with mild conditions, long daylight and generally favourable opportunities for hiking, wildlife trips and sightseeing. May also supports outdoor excursions, while August is notably rainy and winter months are better suited to snow activities and aurora viewing.
JanuaryTemp (°C)-11°Rain (mm)16Sun Hours4Dry Days18
January is deeply wintry, around -12°C to -5°C. Snow activities and aurora viewing suit the conditions, though sightseeing requires substantial cold-weather clothing.
FebruaryTemp (°C)-9°Rain (mm)15Sun Hours6Dry Days14
February is snowy and cold, around -8°C to -2°C. It suits aurora viewing and winter recreation, with short daylight making outdoor plans feel distinctly wintry.
MarchTemp (°C)-7°Rain (mm)13Sun Hours7Dry Days18
March is a transitional winter month, around -4°C to 3°C. Snow sports and aurora outings remain viable, while thawing conditions can make roads and paths variable.
AprilTemp (°C)-2°Rain (mm)11Sun Hours9Dry Days18
April is cool, around 2°C to 7°C, with spring thaw underway. Aurora viewing generally fades by this month, while lingering snow can support selected outdoor activities.
MayTemp (°C)6°Rain (mm)11Sun Hours12Dry Days22
May is mild, around 4°C to 16°C, and relatively dry. Longer daylight supports sightseeing and outdoor excursions, though mountain snow may remain.
JuneTemp (°C)10°Rain (mm)20Sun Hours12Dry Days20
June is mild, around 8°C to 20°C, with long daylight and generally favourable conditions for hiking, wildlife trips and sightseeing.
JulyTemp (°C)12°Rain (mm)25Sun Hours12Dry Days21
July is mild, around 11°C to 19°C, with long daylight and good conditions for outdoor activities. Rain is possible, so flexible plans help.
AugustTemp (°C)11°Rain (mm)36Sun Hours10Dry Days17
August is cool and notably rainy, around 11°C to 15°C, with more than 20 rainy days reported in one source. Heavy late-summer rain can disrupt outdoor plans.
SeptemberTemp (°C)6°Rain (mm)37Sun Hours8Dry Days18
September is cool, around 5°C to 13°C, with autumn conditions and shortening daylight. Aurora opportunities return, while rain and early snow can affect excursions.
OctoberTemp (°C)0°Rain (mm)38Sun Hours6Dry Days16
October is chilly, around -1°C to 6°C, with autumn giving way to snow. Aurora viewing returns, but icy paths and changing conditions limit some outdoor activities.
NovemberTemp (°C)-7°Rain (mm)23Sun Hours5Dry Days16
November is wintry, around -8°C to 0°C, with snow and limited daylight. It suits visitors focused on winter scenery and aurora viewing rather than broad sightseeing.
DecemberTemp (°C)-9°Rain (mm)21Sun Hours4Dry Days15
December is very cold, around -11°C to -4°C, with snow and short daylight. Winter recreation and aurora viewing suit the season, while ordinary sightseeing is weather-dependent.
Sources: anchorage.net, handpickedalaska.com, handpickedalaska.com, handpickedalaska.com, anchorage.net
PRISTINE - Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience in Anchorage
Cost: From 219.99 USD · Duration: 6 hours · ★ 4.9 (3,339 reviews)
Experience the Big Outdoors and Portage Glacier Cruise! See the amazing beauty that surrounds Anchorage. This special tour does not follow any set route. Nor does it follow a time table. Use your time wisely by going into the wilderness to see wildlife and view glaciers. Summer only: an option, on a 80 ft. cruise ship. (available 11am departure onl
Anchorage Trolley's 1-Hour City Tour
Cost: From 25 USD · Duration: 1 hour · ★ 4.7 (2,809 reviews)
All Aboard, Anchorage’s favorite city tour! Hop on our fully narrated trolley tour as we travel 15 miles through Anchorage's most scenic and historic sites. Hear the most riveting moments in Anchorage’s history, from our past to present-day life. Watch as seaplanes splash land on Lake Hood, travel back in time at Earthquake Park to see the shock wa
Anchorage City Tour w/ Taste of Wild Smoked Salmon & Reindeer Sausage
Cost: From 69 USD · Duration: 3.5 hours · ★ 4.5 (928 reviews)
Experience Anchorage beyond typical sightseeing on this immersive, locally guided city tour. Discover Alaskan history, local stories, aviation, and dramatic natural landscapes—all in one thoughtfully paced experience. What truly sets this tour apart is a scenic drive along Turnagain Arm, one of Alaska’s most iconic and must-see destinations. With t
Wildlife and Glaciers with a walk in the Rainforest
Cost: From 149 USD · Duration: 4.5 hours · ★ 4.7 (749 reviews)
If getting an up-close look at Alaska’s iconic animals in a natural sanctuary setting is high on your list, this tour is an absolute must. Built around a one-hour visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, it offers one of the best ways to see Alaska’s wildlife safely and comfortably in a half-day adventure. Enjoy a spectacular drive from An
Matanuska Glacier Hike Day Tour
Cost: From 329 USD · Duration: 10 hours · ★ 4.9 (451 reviews)
On this guided day tour you walk onto the unusual terrain of the Matanuska Glacier. You will see and learn about many glacial features such as seracs, moulons and crevasses. Don't forget your camera! This is an unparalleled, authentic activity. Tour price includes glacier access and guiding. Drive time is two hours each way, with a stop half way th
Grand Knik Helicopter Tour - 2 hours 3 landings - ANCHORAGE AREA
Cost: From 761.9 USD · Duration: 2 hours · ★ 4.9 (424 reviews)
Our signature flightseeing and glacier landing tour, includes 30 mins of flightseeing and 30 mins landed at 3 Glacier areas including on the glacier itself. This tour includes an alpine landing where you will have 30 mins to see the grand size of the 5 mile wide and 29 mile long Knik Glacier with a birds eye view. Your 2nd landing takes you to a 10
Glacier View & Wildlife Anchorage Adventure Tour
Cost: From 177 USD · Duration: 7 hours · ★ 4.9 (421 reviews)
The Experience Award wining Tour in Anchorage on Viator (2025) Discover Anchorages's top-rated day trip! This award-winning tour combines Anchorage highlights, dramatic Turnagain Arm views, and guaranteed wildlife encounters at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. See hanging glaciers, stroll scenic trails, and enjoy local insight from expert g
Portage Glacier Cruise and Wildlife Explorer Tour
Cost: From 239 USD · Duration: 5.5 hours · ★ 4.8 (412 reviews)
Take a Shuttle down Turnagain Arm and Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Alaska on an outing that showcases the state's striking geographical features and abundant native wildlife. Spot hanging glaciers and Dall sheep as you drive along Turnagain Arm, then take an unforgettable cruise right up to the face of Portage Glacier. • Shuttle Guided
Summer Dog Sledding Adventure in Willow, Alaska
Cost: From 155 USD · Duration: 1.5 hours · ★ 5.0 (380 reviews)
The most intimate summer dog sledding experience in Alaska! Our carts are specifically for dog mushing and seat just two people each for an authentic adventure. Your ride takes place on our own secluded, private training trails, surrounded by Alaska spruce and birch trees. These are the same trails we use to train for Iditarod in the winter! Our ca
Brief
- Try Alaska specialties such as wild salmon, halibut, king crab, reindeer sausage, birch syrup and locally brewed beer.
- Outdoor excursions around Anchorage require preparation for rapidly changing conditions, limited daylight in autumn, uneven terrain and encounters with moose or bears. Keep distance from wildlife and follow local park guidance.
- Medical care in the United States can be extremely expensive. Carry travel insurance that explicitly covers the United States and outdoor evacuation.
Safety and health
- Avoid approaching or feeding wild mammals, and seek urgent medical advice after any bite, scratch or possible bat exposure because rabies is fatal once symptoms begin. (
wikivoyage.org)
- Anchorage is a base for remote hiking, boating and flightseeing. Use experienced operators, check weather and daylight conditions, and carry appropriate cold-weather and emergency equipment.
- Emergency and hospital treatment is available, but costs can be very high even for routine emergency-room care. Confirm insurance coverage before activities and retain emergency assistance details. (
Recent News
- August 18-29, 2026: Anchorage police shootings in separate incidents included the fatal shooting of a woman during a downtown standoff and the shooting of a man near a Walmart in northeast Anchorage. The downtown area was temporarily cordoned off and a nearby polling location went into lockdown; later police updates said the woman had been armed with a BB gun and that the man had not pointed his gun at officers. Visitors should follow police instructions and avoid active incident scenes. (
alaskasnewssource.com |
alaskapublic.org)
