Alaska (Ketchikan)
USA · North America
The best time to visit Alaska (Ketchikan) is May, June, July, August, and September. In summer, daytime highs average 19°C (66°F), with peaks around 24°C (75°F); in winter, nights average 0°C (32°F), dropping to around -8°C (18°F) on the coldest. All climate data are based on historical monthly averages (2005–2025) to help you plan the optimal travel time.
Alaska (Ketchikan) – What you should know
Ketchikan is the first port of call on most Alaska cruises and is regarded as one of the rainiest places in the USA. The climate of the Inside Passage coast is wet throughout: even in summer 190 to 280 mm (7.5 to 11.0 in) fall a month, in June and July across about twelve days. In autumn and winter the amounts rise to 400 to 480 mm (15.7 to 18.9 in) a month (October: 481 mm (18.9 in), January: 455 mm (17.9 in)) across 18 to 21 rain days. A rain jacket and waterproof shoes belong in every bag here.
Daytime highs in July and August average 18°C (64°F) and in May and September 14 to 15°C (57 to 59°F), which makes Ketchikan slightly warmer than Juneau and Skagway. On the hottest summer days around 25°C (77°F) is reached. The sun shows most in May, at 6.4 hours, and in high summer only about 5 hours. May and June are the driest months of the season; in September, at 384 mm (15.1 in), it is already clearly wetter again, with water temperatures around 12°C (54°F).
Ketchikan is known for totem poles, for Creek Street on stilts above the water, and for the salmon that run up the river in large numbers in summer. Excursions to Misty Fjords National Monument leave from here, mostly by floatplane or boat. Unlike Juneau and Skagway, the town itself offers few glaciers or railway experiences, but Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian culture and nature in the rainforest. Anyone coming outside the cruise season of late April to early October mostly meets closed shops and hardly any cruise ships.
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, range from coolest to warmest dayØ dayrange | 5° (41°)-2– (28–)9 (48) | 5° (41°)-1– (30–)9 (48) | 7° (45°)1– (34–)11 (52) | 10° (50°)5– (41–)16 (61) | 14° (57°)8– (46–)23 (73) | 16° (61°)10– (50–)25 (77) | 18° (64°)13– (55–)26 (79) | 19° (66°)13– (55–)24 (75) | 15° (59°)11– (52–)19 (66) | 11° (52°)6– (43–)15 (59) | 7° (45°)1– (34–)11 (52) | 5° (41°)-2– (28–)9 (48) |
Ø night, range from coldest to warmest nightØ nightrange | 1° (34°)-9– (16–)6 (43) | 0° (32°)-8– (18–)5 (41) | 1° (34°)-7– (19–)4 (39) | 3° (37°)-2– (28–)7 (45) | 7° (45°)2– (36–)11 (52) | 10° (50°)5– (41–)13 (55) | 13° (55°)8– (46–)15 (59) | 13° (55°)7– (45–)15 (59) | 10° (50°)5– (41–)13 (55) | 6° (43°)-1– (30–)10 (50) | 3° (37°)-5– (23–)7 (45) | 1° (34°)-7– (19–)6 (43) |
☀️Sunshine | 1h UV 1 | 3h UV 2 | 5h UV 4 | 6h UV 5 | 7h UV 6 | 6h UV 6 | 5h UV 5 | 5h UV 5 | 4h UV 4 | 3h UV 2 | 2h UV 1 | 1h UV 1 |
🌊Water Temp | 6° (43°) | 6° (43°) | 6° (43°) | 7° (45°) | 9° (48°) | 12° (54°) | 13° (55°) | 14° (57°) | 13° (55°) | 11° (52°) | 9° (48°) | 7° (45°) |
🌧Rain Days | 19d455mm (17.9") | 14d308mm (12.1") | 17d306mm (12.1") | 16d292mm (11.5") | 12d202mm (8.0") | 12d189mm (7.5") | 12d205mm (8.1") | 13d278mm (11.0") | 17d384mm (15.1") | 19d481mm (19.0") | 21d443mm (17.4") | 18d404mm (15.9") |
Best travel timeØ = average · small figures = range: coolest–warmest day / coldest–warmest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
The travel year in Alaska (Ketchikan)
November – April
The rainy season in the literal sense: precipitation day after day, a low sky, muted light. Most shops on Creek Street are closed, the ships are absent and the town belongs to the locals. The sea keeps it mild; real cold is rare.
May – August
Peak season: cruise ships tie up daily, the totem poles and Creek Street are busy, and in summer salmon run up the creeks. It rains often even now, but May and June are the driest months of the season. Floatplane flights to Misty Fjords are the highlight of many trips.
September – October
Autumn brings the heavy rain back. The last cruise ships leave in early October, the mood quietens and the rainforest steams in the cloud. Those who do not mind rain have the totem poles almost to themselves and see the town as locals know it.
Events & Festivals
July
- Fourth of July· 4 July
Ketchikan has celebrated Independence Day since the 1890s with a long parade through town, contests and fireworks.
August
- Blueberry Arts Festival· first weekend of August
An arts and street festival running since 1975, with art and food booths, blueberry dishes, a slug race and a poetry slam.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to visit Alaska (Ketchikan)?
- The best time to visit Alaska (Ketchikan) is May, June, July, August, and September. These months offer the most favourable combination of sunshine, temperatures, and low rainfall.
- How warm does it get in Alaska (Ketchikan)?
- In summer, daytime highs in Alaska (Ketchikan) average 19°C (66°F), with peaks around 24°C (75°F); in winter, nights average 0°C (32°F), dropping to around -8°C (18°F) on the coldest.
- How much rain does Alaska (Ketchikan) get?
- Alaska (Ketchikan) has a relatively even rainfall pattern with an average of 16 rain days per month. The driest months are May, June, and July.
- How warm is the water in Alaska (Ketchikan)?
- Water temperature in Alaska (Ketchikan) ranges from 6°C (43°F) (March) to 14°C (57°F) (August). That makes the sea cool for swimming all year round.
Best Travel Time by Vacation Type
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City Trip
Pleasantly mild, not too hot
JunJulAug
