Warmer Temperatures in Alaska?? Need Help please!

[charliem]

We leave this Saturday for land/cruise tour - and just about the time I thought all my decisions had been made on clothes it seems the temperatures are getting pretty warm in Alaska.

Plan on layering, taking plenty of wind/jogging suits (that are lined), sweatshirts, long sleeved T's, etc.,etc. Now I see where Denali will be in the 80's the days we are there. (Also have checked other stops and all seem pretty warm too) I know the weather is unpredictable but is it warmer there now than usual? Plan now to throw in some shorts and short sleeved T's, but don't know if I should start taking out some of the warmer type clothes..........this is driving me nuts. We always have cruised to warmer weather locations and I have learned over the years to pack less but need help on this one.

Please let me know your experience in going to Alaska at this time of year.

Thanks!!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Alaska

We have been to Alaska several times. And we have experienced some unusually warm weather. So we always pack at least one pair of bermudas and a couple of summer tops. They can always be washed and ready to go for other warm days.

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[corniglia]

According to the Alaska weather bureau, the current temperatures are 15 - 20 deg above normal. If I was going now I would plan on it being cold again any time soon- it sounds very unusual and probably won't last !!??

[goblue]

just came back from the SB Coral P, I didn't use the mock turtle I took with me and Vancouver is HOT this weekend (about 80F) .

Even Juneau and Ketchiken were sunny and WARM - definitely layers ... The only places that are 'cool/cold' (for a Floridian) are Glacier Bay and College Fjords .

so definitely take some short sleeves/shorts with you !

[Genessa]

we went last July and basically in Fairbanks (upper 80's, low 90's) I wore jeans with a tank top or a tee shirt with a long sleeved button down shirt that I put in my back pack along.
The hotel in Fairbanks had a/c as it didn't really cool down that much at night. But it wasn't oppressive heat.

At Denali I wore sweatpants (plain thin "nylony" ones, not the kind that feels all clammy, but comfortable and quick drying) or jeans with tee shirts. The weather here was in the upper 80's in the day, but dropped down into upper 50's, lower 60's at night - comfortable sleeping despite the rooms not being air conditioned. Went in hot tub at close to midnight.

We also stayed at Princess' Mt. McKinley Lodge (about 40 minutes east of Talkeetna) where the temps were just a drop cooler - upper 70's mid to upper 80's, more trees. Jeans with tee shirts or tank top.

Anchorage, upper 70's, lower 80's. 4 star hotel with NO air conditioning - usually a sign that the heat isn't oppressive, or if it is, it doesn't last long. Again, jeans and tee shirts.

I could have worn shorts on any of those days, but since we were in and out of buses, trains, vans, and I can't stand sitting on any of those in shorts - no shorts.

The weather in the ports was definitely colder than it was inland. 60's & 70's, cooler at night. We carried sweatshirts and windbreakers in a backpack everywhere we went, didn't really need them.

The only day we needed warmer clothing was early on the day we went to Glacier Bay. I wore jeans (again) with a tank top, covered by long sleeved button down shirt, covered by fleece lined sweat shirt, covered by windbreaker/raincoat with a wool hat. By the afternoon, as we were watching some calving, I was down to the tank and jeans.

So, as everyone says, layers, layers!

[kana1215]

Leaving in the morning and just did a repack. I tossed out the 4 sweatshirts I had and opted for more t-shirts instead. I still have a coat and 2 pullovers, but I wear less here in Michigans 50 degrees then what I packed.

I hope this entire week stays nice!

See you all when I get back!

[dustyroad]

i think you made a wise choice by taking out the 4 sweatshirts. and i did not wear a few pair of sweatpants i took along either. save space in your bag and plan on wearing things over a few times. you will stay clean beleive me. you can always buy one as a souvenier and wear it if you need one. and tshirts are very cheap too pick up and wear. i went last sept and the only day it was chilly was the day in glacier bay or at night when i was on the deck. you will have a great time and i wish i were going now. i have 10 1/2 months to go [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img].

DUSTY

Carnival Spirit, 9/10/03 Alaska glacier bay

Carvival Spirit, 5/11/05
Alaska glacier bay again

[charliem]

Thanks everyone for your comments and information. I will also be taking out the sweatshirts and adding more tee's.

[tiggypooo]

Charliem, I don't know if this will help you but you can go to weather.com and then go to a particular city and get a 10 forward forcast.
It might give you some idea of what the weather will be like when you're there.
I've been keeping a good eye on it for our trip that starts this Sunday.
Have fun.........

[LoneStar72]

Just back from 7 days on Celebrity Summit, Anchorage to Vancouver. I never put on a coat, and only wore a long-sleeved shirt once in port. Got sunburned in Ketchikan! My wife wore a coat when we went whale-watching at Icy Strait Point, but I was in short sleeves and comfortable.

Of course, next week you could get a cold snap, and all this info goes out the window [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

John

[LEtue]

I was just noticing the current temps via the Krooz Cam and it is 84 degrees in Juneau and 78 in Ketchikan [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

Looks like an early season heat wave!

Carnival Miracle 11/07/04

Jewel of the Seas 11/20/04 - Thanksgiving Journey on the Jewel
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[AlaskaBound]

Hi Charliem:
I'm also leaving Saturday for a land/cruise. Which one will you be on? I'm on tour #14 HAL and sailing 7/2 on the Ryndam.

I'm very disappointed in the warm weather that Alaska is having and sure hope it cools some by the time I get there. Wonder if the Arctic Circle will be any cooler as that is one of my destinations. Does anyone know?

[Boo's Mom]

Charliem..... Just know that for a few dollars...like $2.00ish... you can send your sweatshirt (or whatever) off to be laundered.

I just returned from Alaska...and I did this several times with some of my children's clothing.

If you are like most people, you will take too many clothes with you!!

Remember, too.... that there are great opportunities to purchase t-shirts and sweatshirts on the ship and in ports.

On the last night of the cruise I just returned from....one of the gift shops put out a table of clearance t-shirts...about 10 different designs. (they were only $4.00 each!!!) Yes, they were all a size Adult Small...but, now my 8yo has 6 new Alaska night shirts as souvenirs from her Alaska vacation! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Don't worry.

Boo's Mom

...as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

[AGonzalez]

I just got back from the roundtrip from Seattle. Ketichan was unbearably hot! But by the evening it was cool again. One or two pairs of shorts is not a bad idea.

[denali1]

The weather has been awesome. Since Friday,in Anchorage,we have been 75-82, depending on what part of town one is located. One thing about the weather here, it is warmer overall in the summers than it used to be, but can vary a lot from day to day. Our average high in Anchorage is around 65 in June, but it varies, and it is different out on the water.

Celebrity Summit 12/17/04
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