The people of Utqiagvik, Alaska, are preparing for one of the most dramatic natural events on Earth. The town has watched its last sunset of the year and will now spend more than two months without direct sunlight. This long stretch of darkness happens every winter in Alaska’s northernmost community and marks the start of the annual Polar Night.
Utqiagvik, earlier known as Barrow, sits on Alaska’s North Slope near the Arctic Ocean. Around 4,400 people live in this remote city. The community is used to harsh weather and long periods of extreme darkness.
The town is located about 500 miles northwest of Fairbanks. Its location deep inside the Arctic Circle makes it one of the few places in the United States that experiences a Polar Night. This happens because the Earth tilts at an angle of 23.5 degrees, causing the sun to stay below the horizon for weeks.
Polar Night Begins: No Sun but Not Total Darkness
Even though Utqiagvik won’t see the sun, it will not be completely dark. Residents will still experience civil twilight each day. This soft, blue light appears before sunrise and offers a dim glow across the landscape.
The lack of sunlight will also affect temperatures. Without daylight warming, the region becomes extremely cold. A quarter of the year in Utqiagvik does not reach temperatures above zero degrees. Sea levels rise above freezing only 37 percent of the time.
Polar Night and the Polar Vortex
The polar night plays an important role in shaping winter weather across the Northern Hemisphere. When the Arctic stays dark and cold, it helps form the polar vortex. This is a large pocket of cold, sinking air that stays over the North Pole.
Sometimes, this cold air escapes south and affects the rest of the United States. This can bring unusually cold weather to the Lower 48.
A Town With Deep History
Despite the extreme conditions, Utqiagvik has a long and rich history. According to the New York Post, the city’s website notes that archaeological sites in the area date back to 500 CE. The Indigenous Iñupiat community has lived here for centuries, adapting to the Arctic climate.
Life Continues Through the Darkness
While Utqiagvik endures more than 60 days of darkness each winter, it also enjoys nearly three months of nonstop sunlight in the summer. Residents have learned to adjust to both extremes. Schools, businesses, and sports activities continue as usual.
The town even has the northernmost football team in the United States. Barrow High School’s team plays through the season despite the harsh environment.
Sunrise Returns in Late January
This year, the sun will rise again at about 1:23 p.m. local time on January 26, 2026. Until then, Utqiagvik will remain in its long winter night, a natural event that continues to fascinate people around the world.
