Anchorage, Alaska Weather
Mosquitoes rise from snowmelt. Day 77 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
Anchorage weather forecast — hour by hour, 7-day outlook, NOAA radar
- TodayJun 4Clear——60°49°—
- FridayJun 5Partly Cloudy——57°48°-3°
- SaturdayJun 6Drizzle45%0.06″46°44°-11°
- SundayJun 7Light Drizzle15%0.01″46°43°0°
- MondayJun 8Overcast16%—50°40°+4°
- TuesdayJun 9Light Drizzle25%0.02″51°42°+1°
- WednesdayJun 10Overcast13%—52°43°+1°
Ozone at AQI 500 now. AQI down 5 over the last 6 hours (steady decline since this morning). With UV 5.3 peaking around 1 PM under clear skies, surface ozone likely climbs to AQI 352 by mid-afternoon.
AVOID OUTDOORS Avoid outdoor exertion. Keep windows closed; use HEPA filtration indoors if available.
What's driving it
Ozone × UV × Sky
Ozone at AQI 500 now. With UV 5.3 peaking around 1 PM under clear skies, surface ozone likely climbs to AQI 352 by mid-afternoon.
- Present
- AQI 500
- UV peak
- 5.3 at 1 PM
- Sky at peak
- clear
- Projected peak
- AQI 352
Trends
Seven days of AQI and PM2.5.
Hourly air-quality data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, charted across the past and next several days. Dashed lines mark the AQI breakpoints at 50 (Good → Moderate) and 100 (Moderate → Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).
A summer fog for fair, a winter fog for rain.
- Moonrise
- 10:30 AM
- Moonset
- 4:15 PM
- In sign
- ♒︎ Aquarius
Mosquitoes rise from snowmelt
Anchorage at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 5°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: August 21 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: Jun 1–5
- Planting window: Harvest spring lettuce before it bolts. Sow heat-tolerant greens.
Right now in the garden
Warm-season window is open
As of June 4, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | — | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | — | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Anchorage's peak warmth with mean temperatures around 58°F, while January delivers the year's coldest conditions at roughly 14°F. Precipitation follows its own schedule, with September receiving the most rainfall at 3.6 inches and April seeing the least at 0.8 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14° | 2.3″ | 8 |
| February | 20° | 1.6″ | 5 |
| March | 25° | 1.6″ | 5 |
| April | 37° | 0.8″ | 3 |
| May | 47° | 0.9″ | 3 |
| June | 55° | 1.3″ | 4 |
| July | 58° | 1.7″ | 6 |
| August | 55° | 2.6″ | 9 |
| September | 47° | 3.6″ | 12 |
| October | 34° | 2.5″ | 8 |
| November | 20° | 1.7″ | 6 |
| December | 16° | 2.0″ | 7 |
Regional context
Anchorage belongs to a climate region characterized by similar temperature ranges, seasonal rhythms, and growing conditions shared with other nearby cities.
Similar climates: Fairbanks, AK, Juneau, AK, Knik-Fairview, AK, Badger, AK, College, AK.
Naturalist notes
Sandhill cranes begin their northward migration through Anchorage in late April, their distinctive calls echoing across the landscape as winter loosens its grip.
Fireweed shoots emerge from thawed ground in mid-May, marking the transition from spring's tentative arrival to the growing season's true beginning.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Anchorage?
- Spring's final frost in Anchorage typically occurs around mid-May, while the season's first frost returns around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Anchorage?
- September stands as the wettest month, delivering approximately 3.6 inches of rain on average, while the city's annual total reaches roughly 23 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Anchorage?
- July typically brings the year's warmest temperatures, averaging about 58°F.
- What is the coldest month in Anchorage?
- January typically delivers the coldest conditions, averaging about 14°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Anchorage?
- Cool-season vegetables like peas and lettuce can be planted around the time of the last spring frost in mid-May, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Anchorage get?
- Anchorage experiences approximately 76 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Anchorage?
- Anchorage's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperatures; the USDA's online lookup tool using the city ZIP code provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Anchorage, Alaska experiences a climate marked by significant seasonal contrasts. Winter temperatures in January hover near 14°F, while July brings averages around 58°F — creating a 44°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 23 inches, distributed across roughly 76 rainy days throughout the year.
Several factors determine the local weather patterns: latitude at 61.2°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These elements combine to influence plant growth cycles, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.