☀️ Anchorage Daylight Tracker
Photo: Angelica Reyn / Pexels
Anchorage, Alaska experiences unique daylight patterns due to its high latitude. The city’s daylight hours vary significantly throughout the year, with the shortest day in December and the longest in June.
On AnchorageList.com’s Daylight Tracker, you can find information about the current daylight hours in Anchorage, helping you plan your daily activities and make the most of the available daylight.
☀️ Anchorage Daylight Tracker
Today's sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Anchorage, Alaska (61.2°N)
Anchorage Daylight Hours by Month
19.5 hrs
Daylight on summer solstice (Jun 21)
5.5 hrs
Daylight on winter solstice (Dec 21)
+5–7 min
Daylight gained per day near equinox
61.2°N
Latitude — similar to Oslo, Norway
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many hours of daylight does Anchorage get in summer?
At the summer solstice (around June 21), Anchorage receives about 19.5 hours of sunlight with the sky never truly getting dark — civil twilight persists through the ‘night.’ This extreme daylight is exciting but can disrupt sleep for those not prepared.
Q: How long is winter darkness in Anchorage?
At the winter solstice (around December 21), Anchorage receives only about 5.5 hours of sunlight. However, unlike Fairbanks or areas north of the Arctic Circle, Anchorage does experience daily sunrise and sunset even in midwinter — just with a very short arc across the sky.
Q: How do Anchorage residents deal with the long dark winters?
Anchorage residents adapt with light therapy lamps, vitamin D supplements, active outdoor lifestyles (skiing, snowshoeing in the dark with headlamps), and embracing indoor community activities. Many find the darkness manageable because of the city’s amenities and outdoor culture.
Q: What months have the best daylight balance in Anchorage?
May, September, and late April/early October offer what many Anchorage residents consider ideal daylight — long-enough evenings to enjoy outdoor activities after work without the extreme ‘midnight sun’ disorientation of June-July.
Q: Does the midnight sun make it hard to sleep in Anchorage?
It can — especially for visitors. Blackout curtains or sleep masks are essential for summer visitors and helpful for many residents. The body can struggle to produce melatonin when it’s still bright at 11 PM. Most Anchorage accommodations provide good window coverings.