Honestly, if you're looking at the anchorage 30 day forecast right now, you might be a little surprised. Usually, people think of Alaska in January as a frozen, dark wasteland where your eyelashes freeze together the second you step outside. And yeah, it’s cold, but 2026 is throwing a bit of a curveball at us.
Current conditions are hovering around 31°F. That’s actually pretty mild for this time of year. If you were expecting -20°F and a face-numbing wind chill, you’ll find it’s actually feeling more like 25°F thanks to a light northeast wind. It’s cloudy, kind of damp with 82% humidity, and basically just a standard winter day that doesn’t require three layers of wool just to check the mail.
What’s Actually Happening Over the Next Month?
The anchorage 30 day forecast shows a bit of a cooling trend as we move deeper into the month, but it's not a cliff-dive. Today, Sunday, January 18, we’re looking at a high of 33°F and a low of 24°F. It’s mostly just cloudy. Tomorrow keeps that theme going, though it’ll drop slightly to 28°F.
By the time we hit the end of January, things get a little more "Alaskan." Around January 26, the temperature is expected to dip to a high of 13°F and a low of 3°F. That’s when you’re going to see that 40% to 45% chance of actual snow sticking around.
The Day-by-Day Breakdown (Sorta)
Don't expect a constant blizzard. It’s actually going to be pretty dry for the next week.
- Jan 20 - Jan 22: We're seeing highs between 24°F and 27°F. Mostly cloudy, maybe some sun peeking through on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Jan 23 - Jan 25: Temperatures start sliding. We're talking highs of 19°F to 24°F.
- Jan 26 - Jan 27: This is your snow window. Highs stay below 20°F, and the chance of snow jumps up significantly.
It’s weirdly calm right now. The wind speed is only about 5 mph. For a place that can get some nasty gusts off the Cook Inlet, this is basically a vacation.
Why the Daylight Matters More Than the Temp
In Anchorage, the "forecast" isn't just about degrees; it’s about the sun. Right now, we’re gaining about three to four minutes of daylight every single day. On January 18, the sun rises at 9:51 AM and sets at 4:31 PM. That’s about six and a half hours of light.
By the end of this 30-day window, we’ll be seeing significantly more "bright" time. That’s usually when people start getting their second wind for winter sports like cross-country skiing at Kincaid Park or hitting the Hilltop Ski Area. The snow is expected to be "flurries" or "light snow" for most of the upcoming week, so don't expect a massive powder day just yet.
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What You Should Actually Wear
Since the anchorage 30 day forecast is staying in that "Goldilocks zone" of 15°F to 33°F, you don't need the heavy-duty Arctic gear yet.
A decent parka and some waterproof boots are basically the uniform. Since it's cloudy and the UV index is a flat 0, you don't even need sunglasses unless the sun actually breaks through and reflects off the snow—which, let's be real, isn't happening much this week.
Keep an eye on January 26. That 3°F low is when the "dry cold" starts to bite. If you’re planning on being out late that night, that’s when the thermal layers become non-negotiable.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your tires: With temperatures hovering near freezing (33°F today), the roads are going to be a mess of "black ice" as things melt during the day and refreeze at night.
- Plan your snow removal: The best chance for meaningful accumulation is Jan 26–27. If you have a plow service, make sure they're on standby for the start of that week.
- Vitamin D: With only 6–7 hours of daylight, most locals are doubling up on the supplements right now.
- Gear up for Jan 30: Forecast models suggest light snow returning at the end of the month, so keep the shovel handy.
The big takeaway? It's a relatively mild start to the second half of winter. Enjoy the "warm" 30s while they last, because the single digits are definitely lurking toward the end of the month.