Alaska Travel, Jobs, Homes, Fishing, Hiking and more...

Western Alaska is often stormy

More on Feature of the day

Painter brings odd Alaska dinosaur to life

It may have been the ugliest dinosaur ever. But Pachyrhinosaurus perotorum, an arctic-dwelling relative of the three-horned Triceratops, was uniquely Alaskan, a species whose existence was only announced by scientists last fall. In the atrium of the main entrance of University Center Mall, Anchorage artist James Havens is depicting the beast on a 10-foot-by-10-foot canvas daily from noon to 8 p.m.

Ferry times to Alaska

People coming to Alaska often get on the state ferry at Bellingham, Wash., and float north to Haines, where they head up a road to the Alaska Highway. How long is the Bellingham-Haines trip?

Flight time to Anchorage

A flight to Anchorage from Seattle, the most commonly used connection point, takes about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Getting to Alaska

Vacationers have a wide variety of ways to get to Alaska.

Maps of Alaska

Rental cars in Alaska

Highways: The way to really see Alaska

Getting around in Alaska

Green buses shuttle visitors into Denali

Flightseeing at Denali

Kenai Fjords National Park

Glacier Bay National Park

Denali campground guide

Bus service to Denali

Limited offer: Drive Denali for free

Tundra wildlife and natural history tours

Rafting the Nenana reveals Denali's wet side

Alaska Railroad to Denali

Reserve campsite, bus ticket early for Denali trip

Hiking and backcountry camping at Denali

Denali Institute ecosystem courses

Hotels, campgrounds, lodges welcome visitors

Driving Denali in autumn

Denali climate and sunshine

Driving to Denali

Bus service in Fairbanks

Flying to and from Fairbanks

Driving around Fairbanks

Juneau basic information

Juneau transportation

Juneau parks

Juneau's climate

Juneau attractions

Juneau -- Alaska's capital

Fairbanks sports

Fairbanks: Info and contacts

Fairbanks lodging

Fairbanks-area fishing

Fairbanks weather

Fairbanks hiking and camping

Winter fun in Fairbanks

Ferry and cruise trips near Anchorage

Driving in Anchorage

Day trips south of Anchorage

Day trips north of Anchorage

A city of parks

Savvy shopping in Anchorage

Finding history

Attractions around Anchorage

Downtown Anchorage attractions

Kenai Peninsula hiking (10-12-2005)

Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska determine weather

Alaska.com

The Aleutian Islands and Alaska Peninsula have relatively moderate climates because of the closeness of the sea. But fog, rain and high winds and a lack of steady sunshine give the country a feeling of its own.

The precipitation helps ensure good salmon habitat around Bristol Bay and the surrounding region. It also provides thousands upon thousands of lakes and ponds for migratory waterfowl in the Yukon Delta and other national wildlife refuges.

Nome, in the northern part of Western Alaska, has a drier, colder climate, but northwest Alaska suffers each October and November as big storms wash ashore off the Bering Sea.

Here are monthly averages -- high temperature, low temperature, precipitation (inches of rain and melted snow), snowfall and snow depth for Western locations: Adak, Bethel, Cold Bay, Dillingham, Dutch Harbor/Unalaska, Iliamna, King Salmon, Kodiak, McGrath, Nome, Port Alsworth, St. Marys, St. Paul Island and Sand Point.

ADAK

(Former naval base in Aleutian Islands)

Period of record: 9/1/1949 to 9/26/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
44.7	36.2	61.50	99.4

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	37.2	37.0	38.6	41.3	45.1	49.1	54.0	55.8	52.3	46.9	41.4	38.0
Min temp	28.9	28.5	30.1	32.9	36.6	40.8	44.7	46.6	43.6	38.2	33.0	29.9
Precip- tation	6.27	4.57	5.43	4.19	3.86	3.09	2.82	4.22	5.78	6.56	7.43	7.28
Snow- fall	18.1	18.4	20.1	10.0	1.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	1.5	10.4	19.3
Snow depth	2	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1

BETHEL

(Transportation and trade hub of southwestern Alaska)
Period of record: 9/3/1949 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
36.3	22.1	16.53	53.8

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	12.2	14.0	21.4	32.8	49.1	59.6	62.7	59.3	51.8	35.5	23.7	13.6
Min temp	-0.8	0.0	5.2	16.9	32.3	42.8	47.9	46.5	38.4	24.0	11.6	0.6
Precip- tation	0.75	0.65	0.76	0.65	0.86	1.47	2.10	3.35	2.32	1.34	1.20	1.08
Snow- fall	7.6	6.8	8.7	5.0	1.8	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.3	3.9	9.3	10.3
Snow depth	8	9	10	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	6

COLD BAY

(Gateway to Izembek National Wildlife Refuge on Alaska Peninsula)
Period of record: 3/2/1950 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
42.8	33.6	37.43	65.1

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	32.8	32.5	34.7	38.0	44.7	50.4	54.9	55.8	52.1	44.5	39.0	34.7
Min temp	23.6	23.1	24.8	28.7	34.9	41.0	45.9	47.2	43.0	35.0	30.0	25.7
Precip- tation	2.82	2.47	2.32	2.02	2.50	2.45	2.46	3.78	4.30	4.34	4.41	3.55
Snow- fall	11.9	12.0	11.2	6.3	1.7	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	3.1	7.8	11.1
Snow depth	3	2	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2

DILLINGHAM

(Fishing port on Bristol Bay, gateway to Wood-Tikchik State Park)
Period of record: 12/2/1951 to 11/30/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
40.6	26.9	26.11	86.8

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	22.1	22.8	29.2	38.1	50.3	58.7	62.5	60.6	53.9	39.7	28.7	20.7
Min temp	10.1	9.5	14.8	24.4	35.0	43.2	47.4	46.6	40.3	26.5	16.7	8.1
Precip- tation	1.84	1.42	1.57	1.09	1.59	1.93	2.86	3.92	3.56	2.21	2.19	1.91
Snow- fall	17.7	12.0	14.1	5.9	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	2.1	16.1	18.7
Snow depth	16	19	18	10	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	14

DUTCH HARBOR/UNALASKA

(Fishing port in Aleutian Islands)
Period of record: 1/1/1951 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
45.7	35.3	60.74	87.2

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	36.5	36.7	39.0	40.4	46.0	51.5	56.8	58.9	53.9	47.2	42.7	39.1
Min temp	27.5	26.5	27.9	30.8	36.3	41.4	45.8	47.2	42.6	36.5	31.4	29.9
Precip- tation	7.10	6.15	6.18	3.28	3.68	2.52	1.97	2.63	5.32	6.80	6.67	8.43
Snow- fall	23.6	21.3	16.2	6.2	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.7	4.5	14.6
Snow depth	4	5	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3

ILIAMNA

(Hunting, sports fishing village adjacent to Lake Iliamna, Lake Clark National Park)
Period of record: 11/10/1939 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
41.3	27.8	25.61	59.2

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	22.6	24.5	29.9	39.0	50.2	58.9	62.6	60.8	54.0	40.4	30.0	22.4
Min temp	10.0	10.6	15.0	24.7	35.1	43.1	48.2	48.0	41.6	28.9	18.6	9.7
Precip- tation	1.37	1.12	1.20	1.07	1.22	1.50	2.60	4.73	4.25	2.98	1.95	1.62
Snow- fall	10.8	9.5	9.8	5.3	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.5	8.5	11.8
Snow depth	8	9	10	7	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	4

KING SALMON

(Fishing town west of Katmai National Park on Alaska Peninsula)
Period of record: 7/1/1955 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
41.8	25.8	19.36	46.0

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	22.0	24.0	30.8	40.4	51.9	59.5	63.3	61.6	54.8	40.2	30.0	22.9
Min temp	7.2	7.8	14.2	24.3	34.1	41.6	46.7	46.5	39.6	25.0	15.6	7.5
Precip- tation	1.01	0.76	0.95	1.00	1.32	1.54	2.19	3.01	2.87	1.97	1.49	1.25
Snow- fall	8.6	6.5	6.7	4.6	0.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	3.2	6.4	9.0
Snow depth	3	3	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2

KODIAK

(Fishing port on state's largest island)
Period of record: 1/1/1973 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
46.9	35.6	76.06	71.8

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	35.7	35.6	39.4	43.7	49.9	55.7	60.3	62.0	56.3	47.1	40.0	36.7
Min temp	26.5	25.3	28.3	32.7	38.6	44.2	48.9	48.8	43.5	34.5	29.4	26.2
Precip- tation	8.50	5.74	5.36	5.60	5.96	5.41	4.15	4.41	7.85	8.42	6.77	7.89
Snow- fall	14.0	15.5	10.5	7.6	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.7	7.1	15.2
Snow depth	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1

McGRATH

(Kuskokwim River town west of Denali National Park)
Period of record: 4/1/1939 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
35.4	16.0	17.11	91.9

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	1.0	10.1	23.2	38.5	55.2	66.5	68.5	62.9	52.5	31.9	12.8	1.6
Min temp	-17.3	-12.7	-3.6	16.2	34.6	45.5	49.2	45.3	35.6	18.2	-3.0	-15.4
Precip- tation	0.99	0.81	0.82	0.66	0.91	1.56	2.27	2.99	2.31	1.34	1.23	1.22
Snow- fall	14.6	11.9	11.5	6.4	0.9	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	9.9	16.9	18.7
Snow depth	23	26	26	18	1	0	0	0	0	2	8	16

NOME

(Gold-mining town, birding hub in northwest Alaska, terminus of Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race)
Period of record: 9/1/1949 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
33.2	19.3	16.14	61.4

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	13.5	13.1	17.3	26.6	42.4	53.2	57.4	55.6	48.5	34.0	23.0	14.0
Min temp	-2.0	-3.4	-0.3	11.3	29.7	39.4	45.1	44.1	36.3	22.4	10.3	-1.0
Precip- tation	0.89	0.68	0.62	0.67	0.69	1.06	2.21	3.36	2.52	1.46	1.10	0.87
Snow- fall	10.1	7.8	7.3	6.8	2.3	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.4	5.0	11.5	10.2
Snow depth	13	15	16	12	3	0	0	0	0	1	4	8

PORT ALSWORTH

(On Lake Clark inside national park)
Period of record: 7/1/1960 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
44.1	25.0	14.43	73.7

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	22.6	25.8	33.7	43.4	55.1	63.8	67.5	64.7	56.0	41.1	31.0	24.1
Min temp	4.6	5.4	11.6	23.8	33.4	41.6	46.1	45.0	38.3	26.3	16.3	7.8
Precip- tation	0.77	0.57	0.70	0.55	0.55	1.16	1.56	2.44	2.24	1.53	1.28	1.07
Snow- fall	13.7	8.9	10.2	4.8	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	3.8	14.4	17.9
Snow depth	6	5	5	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	6

ST. MARYS

(Village on Yukon River in Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge)
Period of record: 7/1/1967 to 5/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
37.5	21.8	19.11	67.9

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	14.4	15.2	23.9	32.4	51.7	59.7	63.7	62.0	53.5	36.5	23.1	13.6
Min temp	2.2	-0.7	6.4	17.6	33.1	41.8	46.9	44.8	36.0	23.6	10.6	-0.8
Precip- tation	1.02	0.72	0.80	0.78	0.85	2.09	2.69	3.15	2.32	1.59	1.60	1.49
Snow- fall	9.5	5.0	8.0	5.4	1.1	0.9	0.0	0.0	0.8	5.8	15.0	16.4
Snow depth	12	17	17	12	2	0	0	0	0	0	3	10

ST. PAUL ISLAND

(Birding spot in Pribilof Islands in Bering Sea)
Period of record: 9/1/1949 to 12/31/2000

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
38.8	30.6	23.77	57.2

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max temp	30.1	27.2	28.9	32.7	39.4	45.8	49.9	51.3	48.8	42.1	37.2	32.7
Max temp	21.9	18.4	19.5	24.1	31.3	37.2	42.6	44.7	40.5	33.8	29.2	24.4
Precip- tation	1.78	1.27	1.18	1.19	1.26	1.31	2.08	3.16	2.83	2.85	2.81	2.04
Snow- fall	10.2	9.6	10.0	6.1	2.1	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.7	7.1	9.4
Snow depth	4	5	7	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	2

SAND POINT

(Southern side of Alaska Peninsula)
Period of record: 6/1/1980 to 6/30/1994

Average annual high temperature	Average annual low temperature	Average annual total precipitation	Average annual total snowfall
45.1	36.2	44.68	12.9

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Min temp	36.2	34.9	37.7	39.2	45.3	51.9	57.5	57.6	53.9	46.6	41.3	38.6
Max temp	29.0	27.0	28.9	30.6	36.4	41.8	46.8	48.1	44.1	37.6	33.2	31.3
Precip- tation	3.88	2.60	3.26	2.41	3.03	3.15	2.87	4.01	6.32	3.89	3.47	5.79
Snow- fall	5.6	1.8	1.5	0.8	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.2	2.0
Snow depth	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Source: National Weather Service.

Alaska.com: Alaska's Travel Website