Late autumn · Weather & things to do
Fairbanks in November
Fairbanks cools off: highs slip to 12°F (-11°C), from 33°F in October, with lows of 2°F (-16°C) and about 1.4 in (35 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 48/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 12°F (-11°C)
- Avg low
- 2°F (-16°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.4 in (35 mm)
- Humidity
- 95%
- Cloud cover
- 67%
- Daylight
- ~5 h 39 min
- Comfort score
- 48/100 · Fair
What November feels like
Highs only reach about 12°F (-11°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 2°F (-16°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 1.4 in (35 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Daylight is short, roughly 5 h 39 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around November
November is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – August.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 12°C (21°F) from October.
- Comfort improves from 44/100 in October to 48/100.
- Our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends Dec – Mar, so November falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for November
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 2°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 November
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
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 An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 12°F.
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 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 November
- Chena Hot Springs in November~51 mi · highs 11°F, 1.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Talkeetna in November~189 mi · highs 24°F, 3.2 in rain or snow · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Anchorage in November~260 mi · highs 29°F, 2.8 in rain or snow · 9°C (17°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 November: quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Fairbanks?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 48/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – August. Expect highs of 12°F (-11°C) and 1.4 in (35 mm) of rain or snow. Our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends Dec – Mar, so November is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Fairbanks in November?
Average highs are 12°F (-11°C) and average lows 2°F (-16°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Fairbanks in November?
Not much: about 1.4 in (35 mm) of rain or snow falls across November on average, the 6th-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 November?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 2°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
Planning Fairbanks in November?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.