Month guide · Anchorage · United States
Anchorage in January
What January is really like in Anchorage: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Craig Talbert, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of -5°C (23°F), lows of -12°C (10°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 6.3 hours of daylight. Cold and dark, with about six hours of daylight; snow sports, northern lights and the lowest hotel rates.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- -5°C (23°F) / -12°C (10°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 6.3 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Anchorage: days average -5°C (23°F) against a yearly average high of 7°C (45°F), and nights fall to about -12°C (10°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with December (-4°C (25°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around -3°C (27°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 09:57
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:20
- Daylight
- About 6.3 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, January rates 1 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Anchorage, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Downtown
Anchorage Museum
Start with the Smithsonian gallery on the second floor; it gives the best background for the rest of an Alaska trip.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Experience · Airport and Lake Hood
Lake Hood Seaplane Base and Alaska Aviation Museum
Lake Hood and neighbouring Lake Spenard form one of the busiest floatplane bases in the world, with bush planes taking off every few minutes in summer.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Northeast Anchorage
Alaska Native Heritage Center
Time your visit for a dance or Native games demonstration, and talk with the hosts at each village site.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Kids
Waterfront · Downtown
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
A paved trail of about 18 km from downtown along Cook Inlet to Kincaid Park, passing Westchester Lagoon, Earthquake Park and stretches of coastal forest where moose often browse.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours by bike
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near -5°C, lows near -12°C and 9 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 January a good time to visit Anchorage?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, June–August are better overall. Compare every month.
Anchorage in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Anchorage?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and dark, with about six hours of daylight; snow sports, northern lights and the lowest hotel rates.
+How warm is Anchorage in January?
Average highs are around -5°C (23°F) and lows around -12°C (10°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Anchorage in January?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.