| Weather :
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| Alaska's climate is not known for its consistency, and it's not uncommon for more than one season to be crammed into a single day. |
Don't stake your raincoat on it, but the Southeast and Southcentral Alaska generally experience high rainfall and moderate temperatures, with summers averaging 15-21°C (60-70°F). In the Interior precipitation is light but temperatures fluctuate wildly, sometimes breaking 32°C (90°F) in August.
The climate in the western coastal region is mostly cool with summer temperatures around 7°C (45°F) with fog and rain common along the coast. Most of Alaska experiences the magic of the midnight sun, a surfeit of daylight which apparently sanctions the kind of madness which finds whole families undertaking 10km (6mi) hikes after dinner and softball teams convening for a witching hour hit-up.
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| Weather - Alaska |
| Cities |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
| H |
L |
H |
L |
H |
L |
H |
L |
H |
L |
Anchorage
Seward
Talkeetna |
12 |
4 |
16 |
8 |
18 |
11 |
17 |
9 |
13 |
5 |
Fairbanks
Denali NP |
15 |
3 |
21 |
10 |
22 |
11 |
19 |
8 |
12 |
2 |
Juneau
Ketchikan
Skagway |
13 |
3 |
16 |
7 |
18 |
9 |
17 |
8 |
13 |
6 |
Barrow
Kotzebue
PruhoeBay
Calgary |
-4 |
-10 |
3 |
-1 |
7 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
-3 |
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| Safety Measures :
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Alaska Airlines Flight 261, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft, crashed on January 31, 2000 in the Pacific Ocean about 2.7 miles (4.3 km) north of Anacapa Island, California. The two pilots, three cabin crewmembers, and 83 passengers on board were killed, and the airplane was destroyed. Alaska 261 was a scheduled international passenger flight from Lic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR), Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), with an intermediate stop planned at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The subsequent investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board determined that inadequate maintenance led to excessive wear and catastrophic failure of a critical flight control system during flight. The probable cause was stated to be "a loss of airplane pitch control resulting from the in-flight failure of the horizontal stabilizer trim system jackscrew assembly’s acme nut threads. The thread failure was caused by excessive wear resulting from Alaska Airlines’ insufficient lubrication of the jackscrew assembly.
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| Sports :
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Sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. Sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determiner of the outcome (winning or losing), but the term is also used to include activities such as mind sports (Card games, chess) and motor sports where mental acuity or equipment quality are major factors.
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| Clothing :
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| What Should I Wear? |
| Clothing you can layer : |
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Long underwear, a fleece, and a waterproof/breathable shell Comfortable shoes with good traction: Running shoes with good support are adequate for anything you'll do except hike steep hillsides (which you may not do). If you prefer something sturdier, lightweight hikers are great, and some are waterproof as well.
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| Sun protection : |
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Lightweight, brimmed hat (sun and rain); sunglasses and sunscreen Light winter cap/gloves/scarf: These really keep you warm if it gets unseasonably cold—or if you're feeling the effects of glacier-chilledind—without adding a lot of weight.
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| Summer clothing : |
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Unless you prefer last-minute local shopping, pack shorts and short sleeve shirts. Recent Alaskan summers have been hot and sunny.
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| Formal vs. casual : |
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Casual dress is the way to go in Alaska. Some cruise-goers bring formal attire for onboard the ship, then break out the jeans on land
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| Mosquito repellent : |
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The bugs generally aren't as bad as people fear, and they're really only a big consideration in June and July. If you really want to protect yourself, there's nothing as effective as 100% DEET products. Mosquito head nets tend to be overkill unless you plan on doing a lot of hiking or tent camping, as they obscure visibility and can get warm.
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| Fishing license : |
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You can order this ahead of time online, but it's easy to obtain from your air taxi, fishing guide, or most local groceries.
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| Small first aid kit : |
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Most hotels and tour operators will have you covered, but it's convenient to have Band-Aids and ointment for minor emergencies
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| Camera/ video camera : |
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Capture your Alaska experiences on film and don't forget the extras: film, batteries, lenses, chargers, and memory cards. NOTE: Pack film in your carry-on, rather than your checked luggage, as new airport screening equipment could ruin it.
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| Backpack or tote bag (medium to large)
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| Binoculars/spotting Scope :
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| Zipper-top bags : |
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Freezer-size zipper-top bags are great to keep clothing folded and toiletries isolated (in case of leaks). Separate baggies make it easier to repack in case your luggage is searched, and extra bags are handy for storing dirty or damp clothing.
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| Identification and/or Passport :
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| Watch/ alarm clock : |
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With so much daylight, it's easy to lose track of time.
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| Footwear : |
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We advise against old-fashioned heavy hiking boots. They're heavy, stiff, and can cause blisters. Instead, get yourself a comfortable pair of lightweight hikers with good traction—two pairs, actually, in case one gets wet. Some are made with Gore-Tex, so they're both waterproof and breathable.
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