Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Anchorage in January
This is the coldest month in Anchorage: highs average 24°F (-4°C) and lows 17°F (-9°C), with about 2.1 in (53 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 47/100, 7th of 12.
- Avg high
- 24°F (-4°C)
- Avg low
- 17°F (-9°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.1 in (53 mm)
- Humidity
- 92%
- Cloud cover
- 65%
- Daylight
- ~5 h 59 min
- Comfort score
- 47/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Highs only reach about 24°F (-4°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 17°F (-9°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 2.1 in (53 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Only about 5 h 59 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are June – August.
- Comfort improves from 43/100 in December to 47/100.
- Our Alaska Glacier Route recommends Jun – Aug, so January falls outside its suggested window.
- January sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 17°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Anchorage in January
With highs near 24°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Simon & Seafort's Saloon & Grill
Classic seafood and prime rib house with big windows over Cook Inlet.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 24°F.
Moose's Tooth Pub & Pizzeria
Long-running pizza and craft beer institution in Midtown.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Anchorage Museum
Alaska's largest museum, strong on Alaska Native objects, art and Arctic science.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 24°F.
Rust's Flying Service
Floatplane flightseeing from Lake Hood, the world's busiest seaplane base, including Denali flights.
49th State Brewing
Downtown brewpub with a rooftop deck facing Cook Inlet and Sleeping Lady.
Lake Hood Seaplane Base
One of the world's busiest seaplane bases; in winter the lake freezes and many planes switch to skis.
Nearby in January
- Talkeetna in January~77 mi · highs 19°F, 2.5 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Seward in January~79 mi · highs 31°F, 9.9 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Homer in January~123 mi · highs 31°F, 5.9 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Fairbanks in January~260 mi · highs 4°F, 1.0 in rain or snow · 11°C (20°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~296 m to Anchorage's ~32 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Anchorage in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Anchorage?
It's middling, scoring 47/100. The best months are June – August, at up to 77. Expect highs of 24°F (-4°C) and 2.1 in (53 mm) of rain or snow. Our Alaska Glacier Route recommends Jun – Aug, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Anchorage in January?
Average highs are 24°F (-4°C) and average lows 17°F (-9°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Anchorage in January?
Not much: about 2.1 in (53 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 32.3 in (820 mm).
What should I pack for Anchorage in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 17°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Anchorage
Routes in season in January
- Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage Dec – Mar
Planning Anchorage in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.