When to go · Fairbanks
Fairbanks in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (extreme cold, very short daylight), late Apr–early May (breakup, muddy roads).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- −15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C) / −24°C (−11°F)−11°F (−24°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 10
- Crowds
- High
- United States overall
- Prices
- High
- United States overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (extreme cold, very short daylight), late Apr–early May (breakup, muddy roads).
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- FebruaryGreatInside Fairbanks's best window: Feb–Mar (aurora, ice art), Jun–Aug (midnight sun).
- MarchGreatInside Fairbanks's best window: Feb–Mar (aurora, ice art), Jun–Aug (midnight sun).
- JuneGreatInside Fairbanks's best window: Feb–Mar (aurora, ice art), Jun–Aug (midnight sun).
- JulyGreatInside Fairbanks's best window: Feb–Mar (aurora, ice art), Jun–Aug (midnight sun).
Weather in December
- FairbanksHighs around -15 °C (5 °F), lows around -24 °C (−11 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 5 °F (-15 °C), lows around −11 °F (-24 °C), rain on about 10 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas Day big impact
25 Dec · United States
Most businesses closed; flights full from about 20 Dec to 2 Jan.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- High
- Prices · United States overall
- High
United States overall: Holiday lights in New York, ski season opens; flights and hotels peak around Christmas and New Year.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Fairbanks, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Feb: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: -15 °C (5 °F)5 °F (-15 °C)
Feb: -11 °C (12 °F)12 °F (-11 °C)
Night low
Dec: -24 °C (−11 °F)−11 °F (-24 °C)
Feb: -24 °C (−11 °F)−11 °F (-24 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 10
Feb: 7 (better)
Crowds
Dec: High
Feb: Low
Prices
Dec: High
Feb: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Feb: 1
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (extreme cold, very short daylight), late Apr–early May (breakup, muddy roads).
February: Inside Fairbanks's best window: Feb–Mar (aurora, ice art), Jun–Aug (midnight sun).
Fairbanks: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast