Weather in Alaska mid-September

[lydiagb]

What will the weather be like in Alaska in September? We are taking a 12 day cruise through Celebrity on the Mercury that starts and ends in San Francisco. I grew up in the Bay Area so I know SF can vary. I'm not sure about Victoria, B.C. Will it mostly be raining in Alaska? Should we bring heavy coats as well as light weight ones? Our Alaska ports of call are Juneau, Skagway, Icy Straight Point, Hubbard Glacier (cruising), Sitka, Ketchikan, and Inside Passage (cruising). All packing advice is appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

Lydia

[Budget Queen]

On average- it can be less than ideal. Last season was exceptional and atypical, but hope for a repeat. :) Overall expect temps in the 40-60's, some rain, dusk by 7pm - so plan carefully for shore touring and be available in the middle of the night for northern lights. :) Take layers but leave the winter coats at home, you'll need knit hat and gloves.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

 

Our cruise ended in the middle of September last year. Do dress in layers - no heavy winter coats. Take hat, gloves, a jacket that repeles water.

 

We had heavy rains in Sitka, cool temperatures in Juneau but in Ketchikan we wore bermudas. Be prepared.

 

:)

[lydiagb]

Thank you Krazy Kruizers and Budget Queen for your replies. I'll leave the heavy coats at home but I will get started on knitting a hat for my husband =) . We will definitely make sure to look for the Northern Lights.

 

Thanks!

 

Lydia

[Budget Queen]

For Northern Lights viewing- scope out your ship BEFORE hand and look for very dark areas - usually front and back of ship would be best- no guarantee on side viewing. Keep track of predictions online yourself. http://www.uaf.edu/dcc/computing/aurora.html

[Yukon]

BQ - that link ( http://www.uaf.edu/dcc/computing/aurora.html ) is just about a computer system called Aurora. The Northern Lights forecast is at http://www.gi.alaska.edu/predict.php3

 

Murray

[lydiagb]

I have added the link to my favorites and I will check back to see what the predictions are.

 

 

Thanks!

 

Lydia

[Thoth]

I went last Setember and had only one day of rain and that was the day we visited Glacier Bay NP. The days on foot in Juneau, Skagway, and Kechikan were nice but on the cool side. You won't need shorts!!! Do take warm cloths if you go up the Mt. Roberts Tramway in Juneau. The wind went right through my light windbreaker. The long johns and insolated coat were needed the day we were at Glacier Bay. The White Pass Railroad route can be chilly if you leave the railcar and stand on the ledge outside like I did. Fasier BC was cold when we got off the train.