The Northernmost City In The U.S. Is Located In Alaska, And It’s Dark For 65 Days A Year
Surrounded by the Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea and the Arctic Ocean, the northernmost city in the U.S. 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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Located 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle is the tiny town of Utqiagvik, Alaska.
Only 5.3% of the earth's surface lays as far from the equator as Utqiagvik. In fact, Utqiagvik is the only U.S. city in North America that has an antipodal point on uninhabited dry land.
The arctic climate in Utqiagvik comes at a chilly price. The average temperature in the summer is just 40 degrees. In fact, temps that are above the freezing line only happen about 120 days per year.
Sunsets on the beach mean something a little different in this northern city. In late November the sun sets below the horizon and doesn't come up again until late January.
Because Utqiagvik has a treeless ecosystem made up of primarily tundra, some comedians in town have planted some fake palm trees to offer a good laugh for visitors and locals alike. The tundra in and around Utqiagvik is formed by a permafrost layer that can be as much as 1,300 feet deep.
The midnight sun attracts the tourism industry as well. The wildlife viewing in the area primarily consists of marine life such as whales, seals, polar bears and walruses.
Because of Utqiagvik's isolated location, most locals rely on subsistence based living practices to survive. The cost to ship food in is incredibly expensive, so hunting and fishing in the ocean and surrounding lakes and rivers is a necessary means to survive in Barrow.
In town, don't be surprised if you find giant whale head skulls displayed as a symbol of tradition, culture and survival. It might be graphic to outsiders, but in Barrow it is simply a way of life.
More so than anything, Utqiagvik is a community rich in family, culture and an appreciation for living a truly simplistic Alaskan lifestyle. It's not for everyone but those that live here love it and appreciate their slower pace of life.
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?
For 80 days during the summer months in this little town the sun doesn’t set. The Arctic Circle is the actual boundary for 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 phenomena from mid-May through mid-July.
What is the longest day in Utqiagvik during the year?
The longest day is 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 actually known as “the land of the midnight sun,” and it’s a unique natural wonder that is absolutely stunning. During the summer, even though there are 24 hours of daylight, the temperatures stay relatively cool. The average warmest temperature during the month of July, its hottest month, is only 47 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, 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!
Living and loving life in Alaska, Courtney enjoys living a happy life based on simple principles; work hard, be kind, stay humble. She is an avid dog lover with hobbies that include running, fly fishing, hiking & snowboarding.
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