Juneau, Alaska’s scenic capital, features a cool, wet coastal climate shaped by the Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountains. Winters are cold and snowy, while summers are mild and damp. Rainfall is abundant year-round, and daylight hours vary dramatically by season, making Juneau a destination for travellers seeking dramatic landscapes and ever-changing weather.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Juneau’s climate is a unique blend of humid continental, subarctic, and oceanic influences, thanks to its coastal location and the moderating effects of the Alaska Current. Winters (November to March) are cold and snowy, with average highs from -1°C to 4°C and lows dipping to -6°C or lower. Snowfall is frequent, averaging 88 inches (224 cm) per year, with January typically the snowiest month. Despite the cold, temperatures often rise above freezing due to warm, moist Pacific air, but cold snaps can bring much lower readings. Winter days are short, with limited sunshine and frequent cloud cover.
Summers (June to August) are mild, with average highs of 16–18°C and lows around 10°C. The warmest month is July, but temperatures rarely exceed 21°C. Rain is common in every season, peaking in autumn, with October the wettest month (over 210 mm). Juneau receives about 1,700 mm of precipitation annually, spread over more than 230 days. The city’s temperate rainforest setting means lush greenery, persistent cloud cover, and frequent mist. Winds are generally light in summer but stronger and gustier in winter and autumn, especially during Pacific storms. Daylight varies from just a few hours in winter to over 18 hours in summer, with the sunniest period in late spring and early summer.
| Average climate data for Juneau, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -3 | -3 | -1 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 4 | -1 | -3 | 13 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -7 | -8 | -7 | -3 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 1 | -5 | -7 | -8 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 246 | 172 | 150 | 151 | 106 | 115 | 118 | 194 | 208 | 254 | 245 | 230 | 2,187 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 11 | 6 | 172 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 1,470 | 1,246 | 1,070 | 743 | 83 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 236 | 910 | 1,586 | 7,345 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 22 | 18 | 21 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 19 | 22 | 127 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 93 | 90 | 89 | 91 | 86 | 89 | 87 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 89 | 89 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 72 | 63 | 65 | 69 | 62 | 71 | 69 | 70 | 68 | 68 | 73 | 70 | 68 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
The best time to visit Juneau is from late May to early September, when days are longest, temperatures are mild, and the region’s natural beauty is at its peak. This period offers the best conditions for hiking, wildlife cruises, and outdoor adventures, though visitors should always be prepared for rain and changeable weather.
The least favourable time to visit Juneau is from late October to early March, when daylight is shortest, rain or snow is frequent, and storms can disrupt travel plans. While winter offers beautiful snowy scenery, outdoor activities are limited and weather can be harsh for those unaccustomed to cold, wet conditions.
Juneau has a cool, wet coastal climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, damp summers. Rain falls throughout the year, and the city is surrounded by temperate rainforest. Daylight hours vary widely by season.
Late May to early September is ideal, with the mildest temperatures, longest days, and the best conditions for outdoor activities like hiking, wildlife viewing, and cruises. Be prepared for rain even in summer.
Yes, Juneau averages about 88 inches (224 cm) of snow annually, with the heaviest snowfall in January. Snow can fall from November to March, but rain is also common in winter due to the coastal influence.
Juneau receives around 1,700 mm of precipitation per year, with rain possible in any month. October is typically the wettest month, while April is the driest. Rain gear is recommended for all seasons.
Winter temperatures in Juneau usually range from -6°C to 4°C, but cold snaps can bring much lower readings. The city rarely experiences extreme cold thanks to the moderating effect of the Pacific Ocean.
Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and sturdy, waterproof shoes. Even in summer, evenings can be cool and rain is common. In winter, bring warm clothing, gloves, and boots suitable for snow and slush.
Winds are generally light in summer but can be strong and gusty in autumn and winter, especially during Pacific storms. A windproof jacket or warm mid-layer is recommended, particularly outside the summer months.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (13.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (-3.5 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (7.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (-8.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is -1 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (11.8 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (4.7 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 7.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (253.6 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is May (105.6 mm). Over the whole year there are 2,186.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is September (21.9 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (4.7 days). Over the whole year there are 172.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is December (1,586.1 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 7,344.7 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (22 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are July, August and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 126.5 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (92.9 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is May (86.2 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 89.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (11 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is June (5.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 8.5 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (72.8 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is May (62 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 68.3 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 18 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 6.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 2 h). Over the whole year there are 4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May and July (UV index: 3). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, April, October, November and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 1.8.
