The Northernmost City In The U.S. Is Located In Alaska, And It's Dark For 65 Days A Year
Courtney
Author
Surrounded by the Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, and the Arctic Ocean, the northernmost city in North America is the small town of Utqiagvik. It is a place that is far, far away from the rest of the world. The only way in (or out) is by plane or boat and the extreme isolation can cause you to go stir crazy if you aren’t careful. In fact, when the sun goes beneath the horizon line for two months in the wintertime, you’ll have a hard time keeping track of time. Surviving the cold temps, extreme isolation, and darkness in Alaska is not easy and that is why living in Utqiagvik is truly only for the toughest in the crowd.
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For a closer look into what life is like living in the northernmost city in the U.S, check out the short YouTube clip below from the ‘One Square Mile’ documentary. Do you think you could handle the isolation of living in Utqiagvik?
If you think Utqiagvik is a wild place, check out this spooky small town in Alaska that could be right out of a horror movie. If you love rural living outside of the city, you’ll want to visit these 17 tiny towns in Alaska where everyone knows your name.
There are so many unique things about Alaska. One of them is the geographically interesting land right outside this town. Learn more about the area outside of Utqiagvik, and read about some of the oldest foothills in the world, which are found right here in Alaska.
And, if you’re feeling especially proud to be an Alaskan resident, check out these unique apparel from Wear Your Roots!
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Northernmost City In The U.S.
Does the sun set in Utqiagvik in the summertime?
For 80 days during the summer months in this little town, the sun doesn’t set. The Arctic Circle is the actual boundary for the true midnight sun. South of this line the rest of Alaska essentially experiences twilight, as the sun does dip below the horizon. While the sky may still be bright the actual orb of the sun can’t be seen. North of the Arctic Circle, where Utqiagvik resides, the sun stays fully in the sky for 80 long and beautiful days. You’ll be able to experience this beautiful phenomenon from mid-May through mid-July.
What is the longest day in Utqiagvik during the year?
The longest day in Utqiagvik during the year is the summer solstice.
Solstice happens in June every year, usually on the 20th or the 21st. The date changes north of the equator depending on the orbital speed of Earth as it passes around the sun every year. Utqiagvik is known as “the land of the midnight sun,” and it’s a unique natural wonder that is stunning. During the summer, even though there are 24 hours of daylight, the temperatures stay relatively cool. The average warmest temperature during July, its hottest month, is only 47 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmest temperature that Utqiagvik ever recorded was only 79 degrees Fahrenheit! With five months of subzero temperatures in the winter, it should come as no surprise that the summer temperatures will be lower overall. However, to the residents of this small, incredible community, even 47 degrees Fahrenheit feels warm after a winter like that!