January · Alaska
Best time to visit Fairbanks in January Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Fairbanks in January
Average temperature -20°C, 28 mm of rain, about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 94% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
January score
2.0/10
Ranked #11 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- -20°C
- Rainfall
- 28 mm
- Humidity
- 94%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 0
- Crowd Density
- Quiet / Uncrowded
- Average Expenses
- $ · Budget Friendly ($)
January in Fairbanks scores 2.0/10 for nature and wildlife travel - ranked #11 of 12. Expect around -20°C, 28 mm of rain, and roughly 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Fairbanks is Alaska's interior gateway for aurora viewing, midnight sun summers, and Chena River hot springs.
January in Fairbanks: expect compromises
January averages -20°C (-4°F) — deep-winter cold that dictates the whole trip: short outdoor stints, indoor plans on standby, and no expectation of long walking days.
Precipitation is light at 28 mm (mostly snow at altitude), with almost no days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 4.5 hours of daylight.
It scores 2/10 here, 11th of 12 months, against 8.8/10 in the destination's best month.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, footwear you can get muddy.
Figure on low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination.
Flexible dates? June scores 6.8 points higher here — enough to change the trip.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Fairbanks in January?
- In January, Fairbanks averages -20°C, 28 mm of rain, and about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 2.0/10.
- Is January a good time to visit Fairbanks?
- January earns a 2.0/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Fairbanks in January?
- Expect about 28 mm of rain in January. Average humidity is 94% and there are about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Fairbanks
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.