When to go · Fairbanks
Fairbanks in May
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
- 17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) / 4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 7
- Crowds
- Medium
- United States overall
- Prices
- Medium
- 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 May?
May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- 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).
- AugustGreatInside Fairbanks's best window: Feb–Mar (aurora, ice art), Jun–Aug (midnight sun).
- FebruaryGreatInside Fairbanks's best window: Feb–Mar (aurora, ice art), Jun–Aug (midnight sun).
Weather in May
- FairbanksHighs around 17 °C (63 °F), lows around 4 °C (39 °F), rain on about 7 daysHighs around 63 °F (17 °C), lows around 39 °F (4 °C), rain on about 7 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.
Memorial Day big impact
Last Monday of May · United States
Start of summer; roads and beaches full.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- Medium
- Prices · United States overall
- Medium
United States overall: Warm and green; Memorial Day (last Monday) opens the summer season; timed-entry systems start at some parks.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Fairbanks, side by side.
Verdict
May: Avoid
Feb: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 17 °C (63 °F)63 °F (17 °C)
Feb: -11 °C (12 °F)12 °F (-11 °C)
Night low
May: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
Feb: -24 °C (−11 °F)−11 °F (-24 °C)
Rain days
May: 7
Feb: 7
Crowds
May: Medium
Feb: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Feb: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 1
Feb: 1
May: 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