Climate Comfort Score
37/100
Below Average
2026 data Public-data reference. official source
Anchorage, AK Climate
Temperature, precipitation, and comfort score from NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals →
30-year climate normals from 1 weather station (1991-2020).
Anchorage, Alaska has an average annual temperature of 38°F and a climate comfort score of 37/100 (Below Average). Annual precipitation totals 16.4", including 77.9" of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year normals (1991–2020).
Avg Temperature
38°F (3°C)
Avg High
44°F
Avg Low
31°F
Annual Precip
16.4"
Annual Snow
77.9"
Comfort Score
37/100
Below Average
Avg Annual Temperature
38°F
30-year mean (NOAA NCEI)
Annual Precipitation
16.4"
Plus 77.9" of snow
Comfort score vs national 100-point ceiling (Anchorage) 37.0%
National median (≈55)
PlainClimate composite — temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, extreme-weather frequency. Below Average for the Anchorage area.
Warming context for Anchorage
MethodologyHow the U.S. land temperature anomaly tracks against the global mean since 1900. The current NOAA 1991-2020 normal for Anchorage captures average conditions across the spread shown — the most recent decade is warmer than the 30-year mean.
- United States land mean (NOAA NCEI) +0.11 °C/decade
- Global anomaly (NASA GISTEMP) +0.11 °C/decade
- Paris Agreement thresholds 1.5°C / 2.0°C
Monthly Temperatures
Average daily high and low temperatures by month
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Mean | Precip | Snow | Freeze Days | 90°F+ Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 11°F (-12°C) | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.8" | 12.4" | 30.3 | 0.0 |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 15°F (-9°C) | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.9" | 13.4" | 27.2 | 0.0 |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 19°F (-7°C) | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.7" | 11.0" | 29.4 | 0.0 |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 38°F (3°C) | 0.4" | 4.0" | 18.8 | 0.0 |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 40°F (4°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 0.7" | 0.3" | 2.7 | 0.0 |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.0" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 53°F (12°C) | 60°F (15°C) | 1.8" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 51°F (11°C) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.9" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 43°F (6°C) | 49°F (10°C) | 3.1" | 0.4" | 2.5 | 0.0 |
| October | 42°F (6°C) | 31°F (-1°C) | 36°F (2°C) | 1.8" | 5.6" | 17.6 | 0.0 |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 18°F (-8°C) | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.2" | 12.6" | 27.2 | 0.0 |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 14°F (-10°C) | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.2" | 18.2" | 30.6 | 0.0 |
Monthly Precipitation
Average monthly rainfall and snowfall
January 0.8"
Snow: 12.4"
8.1 days with precipitation
February 0.9"
Snow: 13.4"
7.9 days with precipitation
March 0.7"
Snow: 11.0"
6.0 days with precipitation
April 0.4"
Snow: 4.0"
4.9 days with precipitation
May 0.7"
Snow: 0.3"
6.5 days with precipitation
June 1.0"
8.6 days with precipitation
July 1.8"
11.7 days with precipitation
August 2.9"
14.4 days with precipitation
September 3.1"
Snow: 0.4"
14.9 days with precipitation
October 1.8"
Snow: 5.6"
11.5 days with precipitation
November 1.2"
Snow: 12.6"
9.8 days with precipitation
December 1.2"
Snow: 18.2"
10.8 days with precipitation
Frost Dates & Growing Season
First Fall Freeze
October 1
50% probability date
Last Spring Freeze
May 5
50% probability date
Heating & Cooling Degree Days
Annual totals indicate energy demand for heating and cooling
Heating Degree Days
9,979
Higher = more heating needed
Cooling Degree Days
8
Higher = more cooling needed
Warmest Month
July
Coldest Month
January
Humidity & Wind
Monthly averages from hourly observations
| Month | Humidity | Wind (mph) | Clear Sky % | Overcast % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 75% | 6.2 | 12% | 46% |
| February | 70% | 6.3 | 20% | 40% |
| March | 65% | 6.5 | 15% | 41% |
| April | 60% | 7.7 | -2494% | -2473% |
| May | 61% | 8.5 | -2913% | -2891% |
| June | 69% | 7.2 | -8332% | -8326% |
| July | 74% | 6.7 | -8332% | -8325% |
| August | 75% | 6.5 | -6246% | -6232% |
| September | 74% | 6.5 | -5411% | -5394% |
| October | 75% | 6.2 | -6661% | -6650% |
| November | 77% | 6.4 | -8331% | -8324% |
| December | 78% | 5.7 | -5829% | -5813% |
Nearby Cities
Anchorage Forecast Office, AK
38°F avg · 37/100 comfort
Anchorage Lake Hood, AK
38°F avg · 47/100 comfort
Anchorage Merrill Fld, AK
38°F avg · 47/100 comfort
Campbell Creek Sci Ctr, AK
34°F avg · 47/100 comfort
Anchorage Rabbit Creek #2, AK
37°F avg · 57/100 comfort
Anchorage Upper DE Armoun, AK
38°F avg · 57/100 comfort
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Climate Guides
Climate Insight: Anchorage, AK
The NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals describe Anchorage, Alaska as a location with an annual average temperature of 38°F, ranging from a mean daily high of 44°F to a mean daily low of 31°F. July is typically the warmest month of the year, while January is the coldest. These thirty-year averages, computed from station USW00026451, smooth out year-to-year variability and give a baseline expectation for typical conditions in any given month.
Precipitation patterns matter as much as temperature for anyone planning to live, garden, or travel here. Anchorage receives roughly 16.4 inches of precipitation each year, with 77.9 inches typically falling as snow. Growing-season length varies with elevation and microclimate, with the last spring freeze near May 5 and the first fall freeze near October 1. For energy use, 9,979 heating degree days and 8 cooling degree days tell the story of how often furnaces and air conditioners run during a normal year.
On PlainClimate's composite comfort index, Anchorage scores 37/100 (Below Average), a blended measure that weighs temperature mildness, precipitation moderation, and extreme-weather frequency against one another. Use the monthly tables above to plan around specific windows — shoulder seasons for mild highs and lows, peak summer for July-driven heat, or deep winter for January-driven cold. All figures here are thirty-year averages: any single year may run warmer, wetter, drier, or cooler than the normal, so treat them as planning guidance rather than forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average temperature in Anchorage, AK? ▼
The average annual temperature in Anchorage, Alaska is 38°F. The warmest month averages 66°F (19°C) and the coldest averages 11°F (-12°C).
How much rain does Anchorage get? ▼
Anchorage receives 16.4 inches of precipitation annually, including 77.9 inches of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
What is the comfort score for Anchorage? ▼
Anchorage has a climate comfort score of 37/100 (Below Average). This score considers temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, and extreme weather frequency.
When is the growing season in Anchorage? ▼
Growing season data is not available for Anchorage.
How much energy does heating and cooling require in Anchorage? ▼
Anchorage has 9,979 heating degree days and 8 cooling degree days annually. Higher heating degree days indicate greater winter energy demand, while higher cooling degree days indicate greater summer cooling needs.
Where does this Anchorage climate data come from? ▼
All climate data comes from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1, covering the 30-year period from 1991 to 2020. Data is collected from weather station USW00026451. These 30-year averages are the standard reference for typical weather conditions.
Data Sources
Data source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1 (1991-2020). Station: USW00026451. For informational purposes only.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainClimate Editorial
