Climate is harsh, but worth it!
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8/6/2006
I grew up in Fairbanks, lived there for 25 years. The climate is very harsh, it is not for everyone. Becasue it is so far inland it doesnt hav ethe ocean to temperate the weather. So in hte winter it gets very cold, sometimes as low as 60 below (winter of 89) and in the summer it can reach the high 90's. Area on the coast dont have the temperature fluctuations. Also Fbks is in a valley so when its very cold it has "temperature inversion" meaning all the col dair gets trapped in the valley and turns into ice fog, which is fog so thick with frozen particles that you cant even drive because you cant see anything!
Because of the long winter darkness, people who are sensitive to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) should not move there. I had that and would get very depressed during the winter. Tanning salons make big bucks there.
You can survive the winters only if you plan a trip every winter around Jan/Feb for several weeks to somewhere sunny & warm. Most people know this & there are tons of packages to Hawaii. Alaskans LOVE hawaii.
All that being said I am very homesick & would back in a heartbeat if I could convince my husband. There is a great small town feel, you live surrounded by natural beauty, and lots of outdoor recreation. The people are down to earth in a way that only northerners are, hard working , open and friendly. And you will never find a Philly cheesesteak as good as "Jay Birds" wherever you travel!
Abhd | Broomfield, CO