Eternal Day: Alaska Town Enters 84 Days of Non-Stop Sunlight – The Science Behind the Midnight Sun
Imagine a day that never ends. For the residents of Utqiagvik, Alaska, this isn't a fantasy, but reality. As of this weekend, the northernmost town in the U.S. has entered a period of continuous daylight, with the sun not setting until August 2nd. This phenomenon, known as polar day, brings a unique experience to the 5,000 residents of this Arctic community.
The seemingly endless day began after the sun dipped below the horizon for the last time at 1:54 a.m. on Saturday. But before the residents could even spell relief that the sun finally went down they were disappointed as the sun was up again at 2:51 a.m. This equates to 84 days, 11 hours, and 4 minutes of uninterrupted sunshine, immersing Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow, in what's often called the "land of the midnight sun."
While many know Alaska experiences significantly extended daylight at this time of year it needs to be pointed out that Utqiagvik's extreme location inside the Arctic Circle is why it gets such an extended period of daylight. The brief night is difficult to distinguish because of cloudy weather.
This remarkable occurrence is due to Earth's axial tilt. As the planet orbits the Sun, the North Pole leans towards the sun during the summer months, causing regions within the Arctic Circle to remain facing the sun for prolonged periods. This results in the sun skimming along the horizon for hours each evening, creating an extended twilight-like effect.
However, despite the constant presence of sunlight, Utqiagvik remains a cold place. Even in July, average high temperatures rarely exceed the 40s. The sun's angle and intensity play a crucial role in warming, and even on the summer solstice, the sun never climbs more than 42 degrees above the horizon – comparable to Washington's sun angle in late February.
Living in Utqiagvik presents unique challenges. As a tundra and technically a desert, Utqiagvik gets an average of 91 days of snow a year despite the extended sunlight. The average rainfall a year is only 5.39 inches of liquid-equivalent precipitation annually. Cloud cover is near-constant because moisture in the air can't hold because the air so cold.
The long days of summer will eventually give way to the polar night, a period of extended darkness that begins around November 19th. Between then and January, Utqiagvik experiences 64 days without direct sunlight. This contrast highlights the dramatic seasonal shifts that define life in the Arctic.
What are your thoughts on this natural phenomenon? How do you think living in constant daylight (or darkness) would affect daily life? Share your comments and opinions below.