| Alaska covers an area of nearly 600.000 square | | | | University of Alaska Fairbanks' Bonanza Creek |
| miles and is the biggest state of United States. It | | | | Long-Term Ecological Research Program. |
| is the less populated state also. The weather can | | | | Research has proven that in a period between |
| vary greatly by region and season. Alaska | | | | 1950 and 2002 more then 10,000 Alaskan lakes |
| consists of high mountains, volcanoes, moist | | | | have shrunk in size or dried up completely. |
| Pacific air and the cold Arctic ice pack. These | | | | Research shows also that the biggest |
| factors influence the air mass that blows over | | | | temperature increase happened around 1977, but |
| Alaska and Yukon Territory and its air transport | | | | it turned back to normal winter temperature again |
| schedule also. The high mountains have a great | | | | around late 80s. These events caused many |
| influence to the wind that blows over Alaska from | | | | negative events and even natural disasters like |
| the south and southwest. The warm moist air | | | | intense and extensive wildfires, bark beetle |
| that comes from the Pacific Ocean usually | | | | outbreaks, shrunk or completely dried up Alaskan |
| produces clouds in the form of fogs and low | | | | water tables. |
| stratus clouds. Alaska has the biggest glaciers in | | | | Thousands and thousands of tourists that plan in |
| the whole United States, sometimes they reach | | | | their vacations to visit Alaska would like to know |
| 50 feet in length per single winter season. | | | | about the weather there and what clothes should |
| The Alaskan year is not divided into rainy and dry | | | | they pack. The second thing that they would like |
| seasons. It receives warmth and rain through the | | | | to know is how much daylight there will be. Since |
| year equally. | | | | Alaska is located near the Arctic circle, asking this |
| This frozen paradise gives nearly endless days in | | | | question is not something stupid, but it makes a |
| the summer period. In the summer period the sun | | | | lot of sense. But if the information given above |
| of Alaska shines until 11PM giving enough light for | | | | did not scare you away and you are still planning |
| wildlife viewing, hikes, kayaking and other types of | | | | to visit Alaska, then here are some tips to make |
| exploration. In the summer time north of the | | | | your travel even more pleasant. The travel |
| Arctic Circle territories get permanent daylight | | | | season that includes outdoor activities or other |
| that is been called the Midnight Sun, but in the | | | | types of exploration is relatively short. The best |
| winter period these areas remain in darkness for | | | | time to visit Alaska is in the summer months |
| several months. The Midnight Sun shines from | | | | starting from May and ending in September. |
| approximately May 10 to August 1. The darkness | | | | Regardless of which regions of Alaska you are |
| lasts from approximately November 18 to | | | | going to visit, the best way to dress is in layers |
| January 23. The temperature tends to rise each | | | | because the weather in Alaska can change quite |
| year in the whole world and Alaska is not an | | | | quickly. If you would like to be as comfortable as |
| exception. Much research has been done using | | | | possible in terms of clothing, then take jeans, |
| satellite and aerial photographs, not to speak of | | | | slacks, sweaters, sweatshirts, t-shirts (short and |
| research activities and measurements made on | | | | long sleeve), a rain jacket and comfortable |
| the ground of Alaska by researchers at the | | | | walking shoes with you. |