Daylight and Temperature

The Mat-Su Valley enjoys warm summers and mild winters, due in part to its geographic location in Southcentral Alaska. Weather is typically drier in May and June than later in the summer, but the weather notoriously can change at a moment's notice, so be prepared.

Temperature

The Mat-Su Valley enjoys all four seasons, with winter conditions ranging from mid-October to mid-March, and summer conditions ranging from mid May through mid-September. Winter typically ranges in the 20-30 degree Fahrenheit range, but can dip into negative temperatures. Summers typically range from 60-70 degrees, but highs in the 80s are experienced every summer. Humidity is low year-round in the Mat-Su Valley. Here are average temperatures throughout the year.

January 20 degrees F
February 27 degrees F
March 35 degrees F
April 46 degrees F
May 58 degrees F
June 65 degrees F
July 68 degrees F
August 65 degrees F
September 57 degrees F
October 36 degrees F
November 28 degrees F
December 20 degrees F

 

Daylight

Alaska is known for its Midnight Sun, and in the Mat-Su Valley, we have nearly 20 hours of daylight at the summer solstice in June. Even when the sun is down, it remains twilight lighting throughout the entire night. In the winter, the inverse is true, and at winter solstice in December, the Mat-Su Valley has only 5 1/2 hours of daylight. Here are the average daylight hours throughout the year. We "lose" daylight from June 21-December 21, and gain daylight from December 22 through June 20, sometimes adding five minutes per day at the equinox.

January 6:24
February 9:02
March 11:48
April 14:46
May 16:43
June 19:40
July 18:17
August 15:56
September 13:19
October 10:03
November 7:14
December 5:30

 

What to Pack

Packing for an Alaska vacation can be tricky, because of the unpredictable nature of the climate, and how fast it can change. It's a good idea to plan ahead for all conditions. In the summer, plan on temperatures ranging from 50-75 degrees, so pack everything from light shirts to sweatshirts and a warm jacket. A good rainjacket is also highly encouraged. In the winter, warm, waterproof outerwear will make things more comfortable, along with hats and gloves. If you plan on exploring the outdoors, it's encouraged to pack apparel that is not cotton and is quick drying. In all seasons, it's a good strategy to dress in layers, so you can be comfortable regardless of condition. A good pair of sunglasses is also important to pack, as we experience long daylight hours in the summer.

 

7-Day Weather Forecast for Mat-Su Valley

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