Honestly, if you’re asking "what temperature is it in Alaska" right now, you probably expect a single, freezing number. But Alaska is massive. Like, twice the size of Texas massive. Today, January 13, 2026, if you’re standing in downtown Anchorage, you’re looking at a high of 11°F and a low dipping down to 5°F. It’s crisp. It’s cold. But it isn't the "instant popsicle" weather people joke about.
Go 360 miles north to Fairbanks, and the story changes completely. While Anchorage is hovering in the teens, the Interior is likely staring down -20°F or worse. That’s the thing about Alaska; the weather doesn’t just change—it shifts into entirely different dimensions based on where you’re standing.
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Why the Alaska temperature is never just one number
Alaska is basically five different states smashed into one when it comes to climate. You’ve got the maritime zone in the south, the continental zone in the middle, and the Arctic zone up north.
Take the Southeast Panhandle—places like Juneau or Ketchikan. They’re basically the Pacific Northwest’s colder cousins. In January, they’re often sitting in the 30s, frequently deals with rain instead of snow. It’s soggy and chilly, but rarely "Alaska cold." Then you have the Interior. This is where the extremes live. Fairbanks can hit 90°F in the summer and then plummet to -60°F in the winter. That’s a 150-degree swing. Your car needs a literal heater for its engine block just to survive the night.
- Southcentral (Anchorage): Usually 10°F to 25°F in mid-January.
- The Interior (Fairbanks): Expect -10°F to -30°F as a baseline.
- The Arctic (Utqiagvik): Often -15°F with wind chills that feel like a slap in the face.
- Southeast (Juneau): A "balmy" 28°F to 35°F.
The 2026 Winter Context
We’re currently coming out of a weak La Niña cycle. For Alaska, that usually means the southern half of the state gets hit with slightly colder-than-normal air, while the North Slope stays surprisingly warm compared to historical averages. If you looked at the data from early 2025 into 2026, you'd see a weird trend: the Arctic is warming up faster than the rest of the state.
Actually, January is often the month where we see the most dramatic temperature inversions. You might be in a valley in the Interior at -40°F, but if you drive a few hundred feet up a hillside, it might "warm up" to -10°F. The cold air just sits there, heavy and stubborn, trapping ice fog and exhaust. It’s surreal.
Surviving the "what temperature is it in Alaska" reality
If you're planning a trip or just curious, don't look at the thermometer. Look at the wind. A 0°F day in Anchorage with no wind is actually quite pleasant for a walk. A 20°F day in Nome with a 40-mph gust off the Bering Sea is a life-threatening emergency.
Most people get wrong that "cold is cold." It isn't. Dry cold (Interior) feels way different than damp cold (Coastal). In Fairbanks, -20°F feels like a dry freezer; in Juneau, 30°F feels like it’s soaking into your bones.
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Real-world benchmarks for Alaska Januarys:
- The "Square Tire" Phase: At -30°F, the rubber in tires actually flattens where it touches the ground overnight. When you start driving, the car thumps for the first mile until the tires warm up and get round again.
- The "Boiling Water" Trick: If it’s below -20°F, you can throw a cup of boiling water into the air and watch it turn into a cloud of ice crystals before it hits the ground.
- The "Steel Touch": Never, ever touch metal with bare skin when it's this cold. You will leave a layer of yourself behind.
Practical steps for the cold-curious
If you're headed up here or just trying to understand the "what temperature is it in Alaska" vibe for a project, skip the generic weather apps. Use the National Weather Service - Alaska Region site. They provide "Zone Forecasts" which are way more accurate for the specific microclimates of the mountains and valleys.
Basically, if you’re packing, layer like your life depends on it—because in some parts of the state, it kind of does. Start with merino wool, add a heavy fleece, and top it with a windproof shell. And honestly? Buy a pair of "Bunny Boots" (those oversized white rubber boots) if you’re heading to the Interior. They look ridiculous, but they’re the only thing that actually works when the mercury disappears into the bottom of the tube.
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Keep an eye on the Anchorage vs Fairbanks delta. Today’s 11°F in Anchorage is a reminder that while it’s winter, the big freeze is often just one mountain range away.