Month guide · Anchorage · United States
Anchorage in February
What February is really like in Anchorage: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Skvader, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
February is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of -3°C (27°F), lows of -11°C (12°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 8.9 hours of daylight. Days lengthen quickly and the city gears up for its winter festival and the Iditarod.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- -3°C (27°F) / -11°C (12°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 8.9 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in February
February is the 10th-warmest month in Anchorage: days average -3°C (27°F) against a yearly average high of 7°C (45°F), and nights fall to about -11°C (12°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 28 days. Compared with January (-5°C (23°F)), February is warmer; by March highs climb to around 1°C (34°F).
- Sunrise (15 February)
- About 08:42
- Sunset (15 February)
- About 17:45
- Daylight
- About 8.9 hours
Spring (April–May). Breakup mud in April gives way to fresh green and bright, dry days in May as summer services resume.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, February rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes February one of the better-value months to book.
Events in February
- Fur Rendezvous winter festival (usually late February to early March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in February
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Nature · Hillside and South Anchorage
Flattop Mountain
From the Glen Alps trailhead in Chugach State Park, a steep trail of about 5 km round trip climbs roughly 400 metres to a flat summit with views across Anchorage, Cook Inlet and, on clear days, Denali.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Photo spot
Park · Turnagain
Earthquake Park
Combine it with a Coastal Trail bike ride; on clear days the park has a good view of Denali.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Views
Waterfront · Downtown
Ship Creek salmon run
Ship Creek flows through the industrial edge of downtown below the railroad depot, and in summer king and then silver salmon run upstream.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes–1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
Zoo · Hillside and South Anchorage
Alaska Zoo
It is a reliable way for children to see moose and bears up close if wildlife does not appear on the road.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near -3°C, lows near -11°C and 8 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is February a good time to visit Anchorage?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–August are better overall. Compare every month.
Anchorage in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is February a good time to visit Anchorage?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Days lengthen quickly and the city gears up for its winter festival and the Iditarod.
+How warm is Anchorage in February?
Average highs are around -3°C (27°F) and lows around -11°C (12°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Anchorage in February?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.