What to Wear in Alaska in June?

Just as people living in inland areas are always obsessed with the sea, people living in tropical and subtropical areas also frequently imagine the romance of the aurora and the novel life during the polar day and polar night. If you live in Europe, then Iceland is probably the best place for you to see the polar scenery. But if you live in America, you don't have to go so far to Europe, because you can also see the same dreamy landscape in Alaska, USA.

Tourism is one of Alaska's economic pillars, and June is Alaska's well-deserved peak tourist season. If you also want to visit Alaska, we also recommend that you go in June, which is largely determined by the climatic characteristics of Alaska. If you are not familiar with the climate characteristics of Alaska in June and don’t know what to wear for your trip, keep reading and you will find all the answers to your questions in this blog!

The Climate Features in Alaska in June

As the largest state in the United States, Alaska alone accounts for 20% of the total area of the United States, so it is not surprising that the climate of different parts is quite different. Specifically, Alaska can be roughly divided into 5 different climate zones: southwest, southeast, south-central, northern and inland. Among them, the southeast and south-central regions are still in temperate regions with relatively mild climates. The lowest temperature in winter rarely falls below 0 degrees Celsius, and the average temperature throughout the year is 0-15 degrees Celsius. The southwest region is affected by the Alaska warm current, with relatively high winter temperatures and more abundant precipitation. The inland areas are very less influenced by the ocean, so they present continental climate characteristics. The northern region is located within the Arctic Circle, so auroras, polar day and polar night phenomena will occur. The climate here is characterized by long winters and no summers. Even in June and July, the lowest daily temperature does not exceed 0 degrees Celsius, while in winter, the average temperature can reach minus 20-30 degrees Celsius. Here, precipitation is scarce, with polar day periods from June to July and polar night periods from November to January of the following year.

So, now you probably have known why June is the peak travel season in Alaska. Although it is difficult to observe the aurora during the polar day period in June, the polar night period in winter is not something that everyone can adapt to and endure, unless you only stay here for a short period of one or two days or you are extremely cold-resistant. The temperature as low as minus 30 degrees and the long and endless darkness will discourage many people.

But the weather in June is different. It will be very cool here in June, especially in the southern region, where the average temperature generally does not exceed 20 degrees Celsius, making it a good place to escape the heat. And there is no real polar day outside the Arctic Circle, but the daytime is relatively long. In the southern region, the daily sunshine in June is usually 18 hours, which not only gives you enough time to go sightseeing outside, but also does not greatly affect your rest and sleep. In addition, summer is also the most active season for wild animals. Here, you can see plenty of animals that are difficult to see in other areas, such as reindeer and bears, and in coastal areas you can also see whales and sea lions.

Therefore, even if you travel to Alaska in June, you still can't completely ignore the cold weather, especially if you plan to visit glaciers within the Arctic Circle. A thick coat or even a down jacket is still needed. In the next section, we will give you some tips on how to dress both warmly and stylishly in Alaska in June.

Outfit Ideas for Your Alaska Trip in June

As mentioned above, the climate in different parts of Alaska varies greatly. Therefore, you perhaps need to bring different clothes when visiting different areas. Even in different scenes, you need totally different outfits and equipment: you certainly can't wear the same clothes you wear to go sightseeing in the city when hiking on a glacier. So, how can we dress in different scenes in different regions to create a both stylish and practical look?

Sightseeing in cities: The most important thing not to miss when sightseeing in the city is the plenty of parks. There are about three million lakes in Alaska, and 17 of the 20 highest mountains in the United States are in Alaska. The unique natural environment has created the large number of parks in Alaska with their own characteristics. Among them, the parks that are worth visiting include: Denali National Park, which retains the original mountains, glaciers, and forests, and is also the habitat of hundreds of wild animals such as reindeer and the world's largest ecological reserve. And the world's second largest park, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, located in southeastern Alaska, will also make your trip worthwhile. As the visit to the parks involves long periods of walking, we recommend that you dress in sporty style that allows for convenient movement. You can choose a hoodie with cartoon patterns to show your fashion taste, and match it with a pair of corduroy sweatpants. As for shoes, you can choose a pair of white sneakers.

Hiking among glaciers: For ladies with an adventurous spirit, it would be a great pity to come to Alaska without experiencing the most distinctive glacier hiking project! But if you want to hike on a glacier, you need warmer and thicker clothes, because most glaciers are within the Arctic Circle. In addition to the cold, you also need to overcome moisture and anti slip. So we suggest you choose a layered approach to create your outfit. Wear a tight thermal underwear first, and then a loose sweater on the outside. Of course, a cold-proof coat is also essential. To be windproof and waterproof, a parka may be the best outerwear choice. As for pants, you can choose a pair of cargo pants made of waterproof fabrics. Of course, you should also match it with a pair of non-slip snow boots. In this way, your outfit is both warm and full of the layering and fashionable sense.

Watching whale at the seaside: Alaska has the longest coastline among all the states in the United States. Influenced by ocean currents, many different species of whales migrate here every year. Therefore, whale watching is also one of Alaska's distinctive tourist activities. Because the seaside is usually windy, you need to consider keeping warm when dressing. The combination of a knit top and a trench coat creates a classic and elegant effect. For the bottom, just choose a pair of jeans, which are the most versatile. You can wear it with a pair of sneakers that are comfortable, or a pair of ankle boots that are with aura.

Other Things You Might Need for Your Alaska Trip in June

In addition to clothing, our trip to Alaska may also require some small tools or accessories to make our look more unique or make our travel more convenient.

🐋A trekking pole. When hiking among the glaciers, it is best to take a trekking pole. First, when you feel tired, a trekking pole can give you leverage and help you climb more effortlessly. On the other hand, a trekking pole can also prevent slipping to a great extent, improving the safety of the activity.

🐋A pair of sunglasses. When watching whales at the seaside, there is usually no shelter to protect you from the strong sunshine, so if the weather is sunny, your eyes may be strongly stimulated by the sun. If you wear a wide-brimmed hat, your vision will be blocked. Therefore, from the perspective of sun protection, a pair of sunglasses is the best choice.

🐋A silk scarf. Whether you are at the endless seaside or among the vast white glaciers, a colorful scarf is a very beautiful shooting prop because it can instantly bring highlights to your photos. Moreover, although a silk scarf is thin, it can block the sea wind and cold air to a certain extent and improve the warmth degree.

🐋Un umbrella. There is a lot of precipitation in southern Alaska in June, so rain gear is also essential. For city sightseeing, you can choose a lightweight folding umbrella, while for outdoor activities such as whale watching at the seaside, a disposable raincoat may be a better choice.

🐋An eye mask. If your sleep quality is greatly affected by light exposure, an eye mask can go a long way toward helping you get a better rest in Alaska in June. Even in 18 hours or longer daylight, wearing an eye mask can provide you with a fully dark sleeping environment.

🐋A pair of gloves. If you want to touch the glacier up close but are afraid of the coldness, then wear a pair of gloves! Half-finger or full-finger thin gloves are more recommended because they can provide convenience for you to operate mobile phones and other photographic equipment.