Month guide · Anchorage · United States
Anchorage in September
What September 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
September is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 13°C (55°F), lows of 5°C (41°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 12.8 hours of daylight. Autumn colours on the birch and first snow on the peaks; aurora season returns and summer tours wind down mid-month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 13°C (55°F) / 5°C (41°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 12.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in September
September is the 5th-warmest month in Anchorage: days average 13°C (55°F) against a yearly average high of 7°C (45°F), and nights fall to about 5°C (41°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 30 days. Compared with August (18°C (64°F)), September is cooler; by October highs drop to around 5°C (41°F).
- Sunrise (15 September)
- About 07:26
- Sunset (15 September)
- About 20:23
- Daylight
- About 12.8 hours
Winter (November–March). Snow, short days, skiing, dog-sledding, Fur Rondy, the Iditarod start and chances of northern lights.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, September rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in September
September has no major recurring festival in Anchorage, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in September
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Chugach State Park
Northern lights viewing
Check the aurora and cloud forecasts, wait until late evening, and dress for temperatures well below freezing.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Nature
- Couples
Street · Downtown
4th Avenue and the Log Cabin Visitor Center
Downtown's main street has the sod-roofed Log Cabin Visitor Information Center, Alaska Native art galleries, outfitters and gift shops.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- History
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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
What to pack
For highs near 13°C, lows near 5°C and 14 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is September a good time to visit Anchorage?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, June–August are better overall. Compare every month.
Anchorage in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is September a good time to visit Anchorage?
It is a shoulder-season month. Autumn colours on the birch and first snow on the peaks; aurora season returns and summer tours wind down mid-month.
+How warm is Anchorage in September?
Average highs are around 13°C (55°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Anchorage in September?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.