Anchorage, Alaska, is accustomed to snow — but this year has been overwhelming (2024)

FAQs

How much snow did Anchorage get in 2024? ›

Update, 9:30 a.m. Monday: Anchorage received 0.2 inches of snow late Friday after this interview, bringing the 2023-2024 winter total to 132.6 inches and tying 1954-1955 as the second-snowiest winter on record, according to the National Weather Service.

Anchorage has a frost-free growing season that averages slightly over one hundred days. Average January low and high temperatures at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (PANC) are 11 / 23 °F (−11.7 / −5.0 °C) with an average winter snowfall of 75.59 inches, or 1.92 meters.

Another light snowfall last month pushed Anchorage into second place for its highest recorded winter snowfall ever, behind the record of 134.5 inches set during the winter of 2011-2012.

Break into the winter spirit with a visit to Anchorage, where temperatures are relatively mild and there are plenty of indoor attractions to keep you warm if the weather goes bad. Anchorage has hundreds of miles of trails and almost 11,000 acres of parkland you can enjoy on skis or snowshoes.

Projected Climate Change

Average annual temperatures in Alaska are projected to rise by an additional 2°F to 4°F by 2050. If global emissions continue to increase during this century, temperatures can be expected to rise 10°F to 12°F in the north, 8°F to 10°F in the interior, and 6°F to 8°F in the rest of the state.

Annual snowfalls vary from about 60 to 90 inches. Freezing rain is extremely rare. Heavy fogs are infrequent and of short duration, but patchy ground fog is common during the spring and fall.

The city of Valdez receives an average of 300 inches of snow annually. But that's in town, at sea level. Nearby Thompson Pass sees 600 to 900 inches each year on average, and during some winters 100+ inches can fall each month for up to five consecutive months.

1. Syracuse, New York. When it comes to the snowiest cities in the USA, Syracuse most certainly claims the throne with almost 11 feet of snow each winter!

And finally, the 0.3 inches of snowfall on Friday in Anchorage set a daily record for May 17. Another 0.1 inches had fallen by 10 a.m. Saturday, also a daily record.

Anchorage's overall index in 2021 was 126.0, or 126.0% of the national average. This means that living in Anchorage is 26% more expensive than living in the average American city.

Is Anchorage a good place to live? ›

Anchorage is a city that is renowned for its friendly community and welcoming atmosphere. Despite being the largest city in Alaska, Anchorage has managed to maintain a small-town feel. The community is made up of people from all walks of life, and this melting pot of cultures creates a unique community.

The best time to visit Anchorage depends on the activities you want to do and how much you enjoy the cold weather. The city is generally considered to be at its best in the summer (June to August) when the skies are clearer, temperatures are mild and there are extended daylight hours to explore.

Alaska's climate is changing. Over the past 60 years, most of the state has warmed three degrees (F) on average and six degrees during winter. As a result, Arctic sea ice is retreating, shores are eroding, glaciers are shrinking, permafrost is thawing, and insect outbreaks and wildfires are becoming more common.

When it comes to weather in Alaska, anything is possible — including snow in July. According to Brian Brettschneider with our Ask a Climatologist segment, Alaska holds the North American record for most snow on a single day in July.

In Fairbanks, normal winter low temperatures are about -20°F, and in Anchorage they are about +5°F. The lowest recorded temperatures at both places are, of course, considerably lower than that, reaching -66°F at Fairbanks and -38° at Anchorage.