Alaska Weather What to Expect and When to Visit on a Cruise

Table Of Content

• Day Alaska Round-Trip Seattle: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau
• General Weather Conditions in September
• Has the CDC Removed the Testing Requirement for Air Passengers Entering the United States?
• Alaska Cruise Weather in June
• What Are Temperatures And Rainfall Like In Alaska in September?
• Final Thoughts on the Best Time of Year for an Alaskan Cruise

The wildlife is doing the same, and you might spot bears with their cubs, moose with their calves and humpback whales returning from their winter home in Hawaii. If you want to experience Autumn in Alaska then September is the great time to visit Alaska. By traveling in September, you will avoid the summer crowds and summer costs. However, if you visit in late September, you won’t be able to enjoy all of the tours that are available in the summer as the tour operators close for the season. So if you’re on the hunt for some of that famous northern solitude, spring is the time for you. And best of all, the land is bursting back to life after the long, cold winter months.

Day Alaska Round-Trip Seattle: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau

To find out what to expect from the rest of the year, discover the best time to visit Alaska with our helpful guide. The Aurora Borealis is growing more robust, and the fall colors are ready to take your breath away. The budget-friendly nature of traveling during this time is just the icing on the cake.

General Weather Conditions in September

This decrease in sunlight can have an impact on outdoor activities and sightseeing opportunities during a cruise in Alaska. Now let’s move on to discuss the daylight hours available during this time. When visiting Alaska, be aware that average precipitation levels can vary throughout the state, impacting outdoor activities and creating lush landscapes. By analyzing historical data and observing rainfall patterns, we can gain valuable insights into the weather and rainfall trends in Alaska during September. The population of Haines remains less than 2,000, according to the United States Census Bureau, and it isn't yet as touristy as some of the other Alaskan ports, such as nearby Skagway.

Has the CDC Removed the Testing Requirement for Air Passengers Entering the United States?

Best times to go on a cruise: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean - USA TODAY

Best times to go on a cruise: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean.

Posted: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

From month to month, the weather, wildlife, and your chances of viewing the mesmerizing Northern Lights vary greatly. By following these tips, travelers can fully enjoy the natural beauty and unique opportunities Alaska offers in September, ensuring a memorable and safe experience. Here, we delve into the general weather conditions you can expect during this enchanting month, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your Alaskan adventure. An Alaska September cruise isn’t just any vacation; it’s an immersive experience into one of the last great wild frontiers on Earth. When it comes to excursions and activities, Alaska’s diverse landscapes and cultures provide a rich palette of options. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, culture, or wildlife, Alaska promises memories that will last a lifetime.

But you won’t be alone — more stuff to do and nicer weather in Alaska means more people — and the prices will generally be a bit higher. September is the final month of the cruise season in Alaska as most cruise ships finish touring by the third week of the month. Taking a cruise during the shoulder season is a great way for budget travelers to save money on an Alaska vacation.

What Are Temperatures And Rainfall Like In Alaska in September?

Explore the Last Frontier by cruise ship, and you can travel to gold rush towns, glaciers, Alaska Native heritage sites and natural areas brimming with wildlife in comfort, even luxury. In September, the scale now tips towards later sunrises and earlier sunsets in Alaska. By the end of September, there are less than 12 hours of daylight in Juneau. For cruise itineraries in Alaska, August high temperatures will be somewhere in the upper 50s and low 60s.

Both September and October are ideal times to see the stunning Northern Lights, otherwise known as aurora borealis displays. Most of the month of June in Alaska is either cold or pleasantly cool with very cold temperatures being less frequent than in May. The lows can be as low as forty-three degrees Fahrenheit, and the highs can get up to the sixties on average.

Final Thoughts on the Best Time of Year for an Alaskan Cruise

The length of daylight gradually shortens throughout the month, with each day getting shorter than the previous one. The reduced sunlight affects wildlife behavior, particularly migratory birds and animals preparing for hibernation. They rely on the changing daylight to cue their movements and activities. As the length of daylight decreases, these creatures adapt their behaviors accordingly.

Around mid-September, many tour operators close for the season, but there are still plenty of things to see and do on a vacation in Alaska in autumn. The night skies return, providing visitors a chances to see the Northern Lights. The CDC lowered the threshold for passengers, but not for crew members, to allow more unvaccinated children on board. The rationale behind this decision is to accommodate families during the summer season while still prioritizing safety through testing requirements. According to CDC data, the current status of cruise ship cases shows that there are possible cases on all 94 tracked ships. Cruise lines have been easing mask rules and terminal mask requirements, making the onboard experience more similar to pre-pandemic times.

Although it is getting darker earlier, solar activity is not at its peak in the summer, so your chances of viewing the Northern Lights in July are slim to none. My advice is to pack plenty of warm (and waterproof) layers, expect the unexpected, and find joy in whatever experience you get. That being said, the weather and wildlife in Alaska are notoriously unpredictable. You might take a float plane to see bears and, sadly, not see a single one. This is also the time of year when King Salmon runs both begin and end.

It's known for great fishing (salmon, halibut and trout) and an eagle preserve — because eagles know where the best fish can be found. Sitka is as much a working fishing town as it is a tourist destination. Sitka's Russian heritage also sets it apart from other Alaskan ports on your cruise itinerary. See St. Michael's Orthodox Cathedral with its onion dome and the Russian Bishop's House.

The Alaska cruise weather in June is fairly cool, but it has the least amount of rainfall during the Alaska cruise season. You can expect Alaska cruise temperatures in May to have lows of around 40 and highs of around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. As September begins, the sun dips below the horizon signifying the inauguration of autumn.