Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Fairbanks in January
This is the coldest month in Fairbanks: highs average 4°F (-15°C) and lows -6°F (-21°C), with about 1.0 in (25 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 52/100, 7th of 12.
- Avg high
- 4°F (-15°C)
- Avg low
- -6°F (-21°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.0 in (25 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 55%
- Daylight
- ~4 h 32 min
- Comfort score
- 52/100 · Fair
What January feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 4°F (-15°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of -6°F (-21°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 1.0 in (25 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 4 h 32 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are May – August.
- Comfort holds steady from December (50 → 52/100).
- 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 -6°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Fairbanks in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
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 4°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.
Fairbanks Depot
Alaska Railroad station on the edge of town, where the Aurora Winter Train leaves for Talkeetna and Anchorage.
Cleary Summit
High pass on the Steese Highway north of Fairbanks, away from city lights, with wide views of the northern sky.
Nearby in January
- Chena Hot Springs in January~51 mi · highs 4°F, 1.1 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Talkeetna in January~189 mi · highs 19°F, 2.5 in rain or snow · 9°C (15°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Anchorage in January~260 mi · highs 24°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · 11°C (20°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 January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Fairbanks?
It's middling, scoring 52/100. The best months are May – August, at up to 82. Expect highs of 4°F (-15°C) and 1.0 in (25 mm) of rain or snow. January is inside the Dec – Mar window our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends.
How cold is Fairbanks in January?
Average highs are 4°F (-15°C) and average lows -6°F (-21°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Fairbanks in January?
Not much: about 1.0 in (25 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 4th-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 January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around -6°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Fairbanks
Routes in season in January
- Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage Dec – Mar
Planning Fairbanks in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.