Weather and Climate
Denali National Park Weather Averages:
http://www.denali.national-park.com/weather.htm
Denali in south central Alaska is one of the most spectacular geographic regions in North America. It includes a national park, four small
towns, several tiny settlements and Clear Air Force Station. Denali National Park and Preserve (nps.gov/dena) is home to Mount McKinley, the continent's highest peak, and various other geologic formations at vastly different elevations. Denali's climate varies from season to season and is subject to two different climactic zones.
Summer
The north side of the park is part of the Alaskan continental climate zone and is generally hotter during the summer than the south part, the transitional maritime zone. Temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit at the height of summer (July) but can fluctuate, even falling below freezing at night. The highest recorded temperature in the national park is 91 degrees. Overall, in the north and south part of Denali, the average temperatures fluctuate between 50 and 60. The average high temperature for the area is 66. Summers are short in Denali, and visitors should be prepared for cold, rain and even snow in mid-to-late August. The average temperature range in the summer is 22 degrees. As the season starts to change and transition into fall, the weather becomes more unpredictable, with freezing temperatures and snow becoming more frequent.
Winter
Winters in Denali can be harsh and extreme. Although the park is open for activities such as cross-country skiing, dog mushing, snowmobiling and winter camping, some roads in and around the park go unplowed during the season. On the park's north side, temperatures of -50 are not uncommon. The average temperature range during the winter months is 68 degrees. During January, the average high temperature is 11, and the average low is -7. Denali winters are long and last into March and early April, making for a very short spring.
Climate changes
Records for weather at Denali date back to 1925. Global climate warming has affected Denali's weather, according to the National Park Service. As a result, the area experiences earlier periods of snowmelt, less snowfall in the spring and the thawing out of permanent snowfields and permafrost. The warming trend also has caused vegetation shifts, changes in animal breeding times and other transitions that affect wildlife and plants.
Daily weather observations, including minimum and maximum temperatures and precipitation amounts have been recorded at park headquarters since 1923. Temperature extremes at park headquarters range from 91°F to -54°F. Average maximum temperatures at park headquarters are 11°F for January and 66º F for July. The average minimum temperatures for the same months are -7°F and 43°F, respectively. The daily temperature range during the summer months (June through August) averages 22ºF. Much wider daily temperature ranges (up to 68°F) occur during the winter months.
http://www.denali.national-park.com/weather.htm
Denali in south central Alaska is one of the most spectacular geographic regions in North America. It includes a national park, four small
towns, several tiny settlements and Clear Air Force Station. Denali National Park and Preserve (nps.gov/dena) is home to Mount McKinley, the continent's highest peak, and various other geologic formations at vastly different elevations. Denali's climate varies from season to season and is subject to two different climactic zones.
Summer
The north side of the park is part of the Alaskan continental climate zone and is generally hotter during the summer than the south part, the transitional maritime zone. Temperatures can reach up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit at the height of summer (July) but can fluctuate, even falling below freezing at night. The highest recorded temperature in the national park is 91 degrees. Overall, in the north and south part of Denali, the average temperatures fluctuate between 50 and 60. The average high temperature for the area is 66. Summers are short in Denali, and visitors should be prepared for cold, rain and even snow in mid-to-late August. The average temperature range in the summer is 22 degrees. As the season starts to change and transition into fall, the weather becomes more unpredictable, with freezing temperatures and snow becoming more frequent.
Winter
Winters in Denali can be harsh and extreme. Although the park is open for activities such as cross-country skiing, dog mushing, snowmobiling and winter camping, some roads in and around the park go unplowed during the season. On the park's north side, temperatures of -50 are not uncommon. The average temperature range during the winter months is 68 degrees. During January, the average high temperature is 11, and the average low is -7. Denali winters are long and last into March and early April, making for a very short spring.
Climate changes
Records for weather at Denali date back to 1925. Global climate warming has affected Denali's weather, according to the National Park Service. As a result, the area experiences earlier periods of snowmelt, less snowfall in the spring and the thawing out of permanent snowfields and permafrost. The warming trend also has caused vegetation shifts, changes in animal breeding times and other transitions that affect wildlife and plants.
Daily weather observations, including minimum and maximum temperatures and precipitation amounts have been recorded at park headquarters since 1923. Temperature extremes at park headquarters range from 91°F to -54°F. Average maximum temperatures at park headquarters are 11°F for January and 66º F for July. The average minimum temperatures for the same months are -7°F and 43°F, respectively. The daily temperature range during the summer months (June through August) averages 22ºF. Much wider daily temperature ranges (up to 68°F) occur during the winter months.
Temperature map of Alaska.