Late winter · Weather & things to do
Fairbanks in February
Fairbanks warms up: highs climb to 13°F (-11°C), from 4°F in January, with lows of -1°F (-18°C) and about 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 50/100, 8th of 12.
- Avg high
- 13°F (-11°C)
- Avg low
- -1°F (-18°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.9 in (24 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 59 min
- Comfort score
- 50/100 · Fair
What February feels like
Highs only reach about 13°F (-11°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of -1°F (-18°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Only about 7 h 59 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around February
February sits mid-table; the best months are May – August.
- Comfort holds steady from January (52 → 50/100).
- February sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends.
What to pack for February
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around -1°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Fairbanks in February
With highs near 13°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Santa Claus House
Christmas store in North Pole, open since the 1950s, with a giant Santa outside and letters from Santa you can order.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 13°F.
Museum of the North
University of Alaska museum on a hill above Fairbanks, with Alaska Native art, natural history and a mummified steppe bison.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Creamer's Field
Wildlife refuge on an old dairy farm on the edge of town, with trails for skiing, snowshoeing and walking in winter.
Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
Free downtown visitor center on the Chena River with exhibits on Interior Alaska and Athabascan life.
Nearby in February
- Chena Hot Springs in February~51 mi · highs 12°F, 1.2 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Talkeetna in February~189 mi · highs 25°F, 2.4 in rain or snow · 7°C (12°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Anchorage in February~260 mi · highs 28°F, 2.0 in rain or snow · 9°C (15°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~367 m to Fairbanks's ~136 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.
Fairbanks in February: quick answers
Is February a good time to visit Fairbanks?
It's middling, scoring 50/100. The best months are May – August, at up to 82. Expect highs of 13°F (-11°C) and 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow. February is inside the Dec – Mar window our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends.
How cold is Fairbanks in February?
Average highs are 13°F (-11°C) and average lows -1°F (-18°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Fairbanks in February?
Not much: about 0.9 in (24 mm) of rain or snow falls across February on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 21.9 in (556 mm).
What should I pack for Fairbanks in February?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around -1°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Fairbanks
Routes in season in February
- Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage Dec – Mar
Planning Fairbanks in February?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.