What is the weather like in Alaska?

What is the weather in Alaska like you ask?

Alaska had a cool and wet start for 2013 with the18th coolest March to May since 1918. It also had it’s 14th wettest May. A late snowfall on May 18th, broke a few records. It made the 2012-13 snow season a total of 232 days long, the longest on record for the city of Anchorage. The high temperature on May 17th was 37 degrees, which set a new daily record for the coldest maximum temperature.

In June temperatures soared into the 80s and 90s. There was an unofficial 98°F measured at Bentalit Lodge on Monday, June 17, smashing the previously set record of 91°F from 1969.

Anchorage had a relentless heat wave setting a new record in July. Nineteen days reached 70 degrees or better and 15 of those were consecutive making it the 4th warmest on record.

In Fairbanks the temperature hit 80 degrees for the record 36th time and only 1.44 inches of rain had fallen over summer, that was 2.25 inches below normal making it the 4th driest summer on record.
According to the National Weather Service, we matched a record that’s nearly a hundred years old. On Sept 13th, 2013 Anchorage had 18 consecutive days of measurable rain which had began on August 27th. This tied the record set back in 1919. It was also the 4th wettest September on record.

We're not certain what’s in store for winter either but if the snow stays at bay a few more days it will be the first time since 1938 that Fairbanks had Halloween without snow!

If you're planning a visit to Alaska and want to know what the weather is like... don't read those websites that predict it 30 days out.  Can your weather forecasters accurately predict 30 days out?  Just plan on wearing layers.  You'll peel them off and put them back on everytime the sun goes behind the clouds.  Definitely bring a rain coat.  It will not only protect you from showers but serve as a good windbreaker.  Most of all, don't worry about.  The only constant is that the weather will change.

Pre and Post Cruise Alaska Land Tour Options

   Inside Passage Alaska cruises northbound and southbound connect with Southcentral Alaska ports of Seward, Whittier and Anchorage Alaska.  Few cruises actually depart from Anchorage and a connecting land transfer between Anchorage and Whittier or Seward is most often required.
  Quick and mass transfers are available via motor coaches from various Anchorage departure and arrival points.  The Alaska Park Connection departs from the Anchorage museum and Egan Center on a daily schedule. The Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic has a daily departure in either the glass-dome or traditional railcars, additional connections between your hotel or airport and rail depot are required on both ends.
  For personal service and direct transfer on a tight schedule arrangements with limo or taxi service is a possibility.  Direct drive time between Anchorage airport and Whittier cruise dock should allow a minimum of 2 hours and pay special attention to the timed tunnel openings in route.  Direct drive time between the Anchorage airport and Seward cruise dock should allow a minimum 3 hours.  Both routes travel highway that can experience unplanned closures and possible construction delays. 
  To make the most of an Alaska vacation, allow as many days on land pre or post cruise that you possibly can.  Small tour operators like Alaskan Tour Guides provide the custom tour options for extended family and small group travelers.  Spend a week or more for the full tour, 3-5 days for a Denali Adventure.  At the very minimum you should allow a full day to explore the spectacular landscape, glacier and wildlife viewing opportunities in route between the city of Anchorage and these two cruise port destinations.  Numerous activity options are available to custom your trip before or after you join your Alaska cruise.

Alaska Winter Adventure

    March is Alaska's best month of winter.  The snow is set, We've received 129.4" of snow so far this season in Southcentral Alaska.   The days are getting warmer as we gain sunlight daily with 12 hours of daylight by mid month.  This is prime time for Alaska adventure activities and snow sporting events and Alaskans take every advantage of it possible. 

Iditarod 39 musher

   We kick off the month with the world renowned Iditarod race.  This year, Iditarod 40 was won by the youngest musher ever, Dallas Seavey.  We celebrate the coming of spring with a enthusiastic celebration in the snow! Conditions are ideal for skiing, mushing and snowmaching for moderate to high adventures.  There's ice fishing, snowshoe hiking and northern lights viewing for the easier adventurer.   Aurora activity is high with the recent extreme solar flares.

On the river

   When the skies are clear, they are true blue and Alaska's majestic mountain ranges shine as they rise up to meet them.  Denali and the Alaska range is amongst the most spectacular views.  Alaska welcomes visitors this time of year who are looking for some ultimate winter sport.  Mushing behind a sled across frozen tundra and lakes,  snow machining tours, downhill, cross country, alpine skiing trips in pristine countryside, cozy fireplaces and hot tubs, aurora borealis.... it's all here now. 

Carly's first ski

Aurora Borealis Viewing

Last night we saw an amazing display of the Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis.  Fluorescent green bands of light, with a pink hue intermixed at times, extended fully across the sky.   One of the largest geomagnetic storms since 2003 has occurred and the forecast for Aurora activity was high.  Our skies were clear, the stars were bright and as predicted the aurora danced across the Alaska night.

One of the most active Aurora Borealis shows I ever witnessed was in the winter of 1990.  The bright green lights that moved across the sky that night instilled a sense of awe I will long remember.  The changing intensity of light and the way they moved kept your attention.  They seemed to disappear there to reappear elsewhere.  It was a continual show of lights.  That was the first time I saw the Northern Lights dance, such an amazing event.

Since that time I have witnessed the Aurora many times, in varied colors and patterns, at different times of the night. Each time is beautiful to watch.  It's easy to understand where cultures hold this event in sacred esteem.  It's very beautiful to see.

Photographs of the Aurora takes some skills that I do not have.  I will share these links of those who are more adept.

Anchorage Daily News - Aurora photos

Family Tours of Alaska

Alaska is for families who enjoy the outdoors, and are looking for some active fun. A wide range of activities can accommodate all ages. Unique experiences like trekking on a glacier, or catching a wild salmon will become stories retold with excitement. The vacation becomes a learning experience as you discover the stories behind the musher and sled dog team, or the riverboat captain, or the bush pilot.
For the best learning experience family groups should travel with a guide. Choose an Alaskan company that hires Alaskan guides. You'll learn, see and do more through the eyes of locals. Often you can work with these smaller companies to arrange a custom itinerary, exclusively for your family.
Alaska on a budget is more sightseeing and less activities. Decide what is important and work around that. The more popular activities rates average $150 half-day salmon fishing, $275 all-day halibut charter, $275 flightsee denali and land on a glacier, $80 river raft, $75 glacier trek, $65 sled dog tour, $145 Kenai Fjords Wildlife and glacier cruise...per person. Multiply that by the number in your family and that's just the cost of the activities. There are also small attraction fees for some of the recommended wildlife and native centers, there is the cost of meals, lodgings, and transportation. As a tour operator I often here requests for hiking, hiking, hiking. Let me tell you that most hiking is more than the average visitor envisions. Trails generally lead up the side of a mountain and often through wilderness, where wild animals live! It's not recommended without a guide.
If you're more concerned with the adventure than the budget - Alaska will not only meet but exceed your expectations. There really are limitless adventures such as those offered at http://www.alaskantour.com
It is not easy travel with or for younger children, especially toddlers and infants. Ideally 10 years and older can enjoy most of the activities offered comfortably. It's not impossible to travel with younger children in Alaska, but it requires more consideration and a bit more logistically. Work with a guide so your trip is a success.

Alaska Land vs Cruise

Alaska cruising is big business. Cruises of Alaska's Inside Passage brought almost 1 million visitors to the state in 2007. What happens when you try to move that many people through remote and rustic communities of 2,000 residents? The face of the community is changed. What once was a quaint fishing village or native community has been commercially developed to the tastes of the driving economic factor. Most cruisers probably don't know that there are over 50 jewelry stores in the town of Ketchikan. Any guess as to who owns them? Most cruisers probably don't know that recent legislation in Alaska requires Cruise compaines to publish commissions on shore excursions they sell. Do we think those prices might have been unreasonably high?
Consider what it is exactly you are looking for from your vacation to Alaska. Do you want a floating hotel, with dining, gambling, shows and day excursions? Sounds a bit like Vegas, but hey that's the energy some people are comfortable with. Or, would you prefer something more in touch with the place itself like discovering some nature away from the crowds of 2,000 passenger cruise ships? Maybe meeting some of the locals and learning from their experience and stories is more appealing?
Traveling by land presents the most options, with access to both coastal and interior Alaska sights and activities. The Anchorage airport is the point of entry and departure for most. Land travel is the most economical, although the cost of an Alaska vacation can add up quickly depending on how many activities and which ones are on your list of "must do". Some of the high end activities such as bearviewing, flightseeing and fishing are $150 to $450 per person. Then add in your meals, lodging and transportation for the day and you're there.
You can travel by budget with a car, but plan to spend some time searching the net and planning your way. Use the Convention and Visitor Bureau sites for Anchorage, Seward, Homer, Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Denali and Fairbanks. They each provide general information as well as links to members who will provide the services you need. When in doubt, ask for a reference.
Motorcoach tours are little more than a land"cruise". They are owned by the same cruise companies. You spend more time in the bus with less included activities. Too much wait time is involved. Remember there are at least 49 other people to use the restroom or eat lunch.
A better option is to join a small group tour or if you have a family group of your own, arrange a custom tour exclusively for your group. It's best to find a company that is headquartered in Alaska and hires Alaskan guides. There's no better way to explore a place then with those who live there. Find a company with itineraries that include places that the motorcoach tours can't reach. There are several out there like the one I work for at http://www.alaskantour.com These Alaskan owned companies work with other Alaskan suppliers so visitors can be engaged in their activity, so they can learn from people who take part in Alaska life everyday, and so the economic benefit stays with the residents of Alaska.
If you really want to see the coastline of the Inside Passage, I strongly urge you to spend a little more and go with a smaller ship experience like Cruise West offers. Shore excursions are included and led by naturalist guides. Smaller vessels can travel closer to land allowing more wildlife viewing opportunities.

Alaska Bear viewing

The potential to view bears in Alaska exists around most any corner. Chance will even allow you to view a grizzly or black bear in the city of Anchorage. If you prefer to increase the odds consider indulging your vacation with a trip to a remote lodge in Alaska wilderness. Having lived in Alaska for almost 19 years, I have seen the occasional bear crossing the road or feeding on a salmon at the edge of the river, sometimes fleetingly. Observing a number of bears congregate at salmon-rich rivers in the wilderness however, has been the ultimate adventure. Members of the group agreed it was a moving experience. It's true these adventures are on the higher end of cost but if you stop to consider the logistics and expense for these operators to provide you with "services" in these remote locations it's understandable. Once you get the full picture of bears sparring in the lake, walking with their cubs, or feasting on spawning salmon - you will think every penny spent was worthwhile.
Many of these lodges not only provide basic services, but go to lengths to pamper clients. The adventure includes a small plane flight, if you're lucky a float plane. Most lodges have optional activities such as fishing, nature hikes, canoes or kayaks and the meals are culinary delights featuring favorite Alaskan recipes. Be sure to check the credentials of the lodge you choose to ensure you have a professional operator. Remember it's wilderness and ultimately up to you to make good decisions.
Keep in mind that the bears show up in concentrations after the salmon have showed up in concentrations. It's a good idea to time your visit with the salmon runs and different species in different areas arrive at different times. Consider joining an escorted tour such as the ones at the company I work for http://www.alaskantour.com
They'll get you to the right place at the right time for incredible bear viewing.