You can easily find great burgers on the same menu as fresh salmon, and increasingly you’ll see other fun Alaskan local ingredients cropping up on the menu, like reindeer sausage, halibut chowder, and local blueberries on a quinoa salad. I wrote a super-long post about my 7-night cruise in May 2017 which will convince you why I think UnCruise is the best way to see Alaska. The area could see up to an inch of snow on Thursday, she said. It’s clear about 50% of days on average and while there might be a late season snow or rainy day, May is a good month to visit Alaska based on the weather. I love these transitional seasons in Alaska because they remind me that the beauty in the world is both fleeting and cyclical: the seasons always change and the colors always change, and they’ll come back next year too. May and September are 5°- 10° cooler. Plan Now. There’s also a good dining scene, which mostly focused on American and local foods. Waterfalls cascade down mountains that were once covered in snow and the few leafy trees slowly erupt into vibrant green tones. May is one of the driest months and an optimal one to view wildlife awakening, with lots of babies being born, spring migrations ramping up, snow melting and the landscape budding. I will also be doing the train trip up to McKinley lodge and Denali, How cold will it be.I am so looking forward to my adventure.Any help would be great full. They wanted me to let them know where I would like to go…I said Alaska!…I want to see it all…I want to visit the small towns of Eskimo Families….where they work…how they live…and of course all the beauty of Alaska. May is generally the driest month across the state, even in the temperate rainforest of the Inside Passage. In case the spring weather is still too cold for you, I’ve got a suggestion…. I have a post here for a 10-day Alaska itinerary – but you need to check each of the places to make sure everything is open whenever you know your exact dates: https://www.valisemag.com/10-days-alaska-itinerary-guide/ Have a wonderful trip! In the spring, Alaska slowly transitions from a land of black, white, and gray to one of greens and blues. Traditionally worn by fishermen in the 19th-century, cable-knit sweaters are essential for any women's winter closet. We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. My husband and I want to go on vacation soon, and we’ve always thought Alaska would be a good place to visit. Great article; one of the best that I have read for Alaska. I would never have thought to visit Alaska in spring, but being a Canadian based near Banff National Park, it makes total sense. Or you can see them here: https://www.valisemag.com/tag/alaska/. Everybody assumes that Winter is the best time to go but you’re right! After growing up in Alaska, I’ve greatly enjoyed my trips back as an adult that have allowed me to enjoy the craft beer scene that’s booming across the state – some of the breweries I’ve had the chance to enjoy include Alaskan Brewing Company (Juneau; always good! As mentioned, prices will be lower across the board. Your article had some great points about the benefits of visiting Alaska in the spring, and I liked how you said that this is the time when the landscape transitions from a land of black, white, and gray to one of greens and blues. Have a great trip! Alaska is a big state and weather can vary greatly by region and season. Sounds like you’ll have a great trip! The Alaska sunrise & sunset times shown below are for Anchorage. 3900 Arctic Blvd, Ste 304 Alaska, in May, ranges in temperature depending on the regional zone. From flannel sheets to heating blankets, here are seven tips to get your bed ready for when the temperature drops. We definitely want to see the best of the best and only have 10 days ( probably 8 if we count the ones we are going to be traveling ). Dunleavy deems virus escalation an ‘imminent threat’ as Alaska reports 478 new COVID-19 cases, Votes tip in favor of election-reform measure as Alaska counts thousands more absentee ballots, Alaska Rep. Don Young tests positive for COVID-19. These pics are amazing! Thanks! A coworker went to Juneau, and I got jealous of all the pictures she showed us! 800-208-0200 or 907-245-0200. May itineraries invite guests to pack sweaters and jackets for easy layering. Heat wave! Any geography would do at the moment. In Alaska, temperatures in Alaska range from an average low of 29°F (-2°C) to an average high of 44°F (7°C), which feels downright balmy after months of sub-freezing temperatures. The table below shows average temperatures and hours of daylight across the state. AccuWeather School is taking a field trip to see Little Bubbler, one very unique spring in central Pennsylvania. A few friends who’ve done that cruise in summer said it was quite cold anyway. Daytime temperatures usually reach 12°C in Anchorage, Alaska in May, falling to 4°C at night. Nighttime lows are refreshingly cool, dipping into the 40's - 50's. Weather typically ranges from the 30s to a high of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. There are normally 9 hours of bright sunshine each day in Anchorage, Alaska in May - that's 53% of daylight hours. *affiliate links: find out how we are funded and why this helps us remain free to use. A mix of snow and rain began falling early Thursday throughout Anchorage and was expected to shift to snow sometime in the afternoon. If you want to experience a taste of what Alaska is like in the winter, spring is a great time to do so. Heat wave! See our Alaska packing list page for suggestions. Think Alaska. One of the biggest questions I get is about when to visit Alaska. Just think about the leaves changing color every Autumn in Vermont or the Cherry blossom blooms in Japan each spring. I’m here if you have any questions – and I have loads of other Alaska articles that may help you plan your trip: https://www.valisemag.com/tag/alaska/. i have always wanted to visit alaska! Alaska is also very casual. In this post, I’m addressing why one of the shoulder seasons – spring – is a great time to visit Alaska. Get AccuWeather alerts as they happen with our browser notifications. Flooding emergency turns fatal in North Carolina after record rainfall. Most travelers to Alaska take a cruise when they visit, and there are several reasons to do this in spring. Southeast Alaska (the route most cruise ships take) is one of the rainiest parts of the U.S. Juneau, a common cruise port, averages 223 days of rain per year! I will be on a cruiseship to alaska on may 20th 2020,It is the inside passage,Juneue,Skagway and many more,will the bears be about and other animals. Since it seems winter can be too harsh we are going for spring. Weather changes quickly in Alaska, so be prepared. O’Brien said there was a possibility that a trace amount of snow may fall in the Matanuska and Susitna valleys Thursday morning, but the area would remain relatively cold and dry. © 2020 Anchorage Daily News. The temperature throughout the Anchorage Bowl hovered around freezing early Thursday, causing “big, wet snowflakes,” O’Brien said.