Fairbanks in February

In February, Fairbanks averages -11°C (13°F) during the day and -19°C (-2°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (20 mm total).

Off-peak

Conditions are deeply cold — proper winter gear is essential. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

February in Fairbanks is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

-11°C
Avg high
-19°C
Avg low
11
Rain days
20 mm
Rainfall

How February compares to the rest of the year in Fairbanks

10th
warmest month of the 12
9th
wettest month of the 12
4%
of yearly rainfall falls in February
8 h 31 min
daylight on the 15th

February is one of the coolest months in Fairbanks (10th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (9th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 15°C below the annual average (4°C). February runs 4°C warmer than January (-14°C) and warms a further 8°C into March (-3°C).

February sunrise & sunset in Fairbanks

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
8:49 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:20 PM
Day length
8 h 31 min

Times shown for Fairbanks local time (America/Anchorage), calculated for the 15th of February. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Fairbanks — February

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of February, in Fairbanks's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
7:49 AM – 8:29 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
8:29 AM – 9:29 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:40 PM – 5:40 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:40 PM – 6:20 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.
Aurora visibility
Fair
Aurora is possible from Fairbanks but requires a strong geomagnetic event (Kp 5+) plus clear skies — chase nights, don't count on them.

📅 When to book — Fairbanks in February

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on February's tier (Off-peak) and Fairbanks's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-6 weeks
Cheapest flights of the year. Last-minute deals are real if you can be flexible.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-4 weeks
Last-minute bookings work fine. Some seasonal properties close — call ahead if it's a small boutique or beach resort.

Crowds & pricing — February in Fairbanks

Off-peak

This is off-peak for Fairbanks — the lowest prices of the year and the fewest crowds, but with real trade-offs: some restaurants, hotels, and beach businesses may close for the season; weather conditions can make outdoor activities unpredictable; and a handful of seasonal sights run reduced hours or close entirely. Great if you prefer a quiet local rhythm and don't mind the climate giving you reasons to choose indoor activities.

Why this tier: challenging tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — February in Fairbanks

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
1.6
Low
Minimal sun protection needed for normal activity.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

🥶 Bitter cold — Fairbanks in February

Snow days (typical)
0
days/month
Avg low
-19°C
-2°F
Avg day high
-11°C
13°F

Gear: Snow rare but air is freezing. Insulated coat, hat, and gloves still required — wind chill is the real enemy.

Fairbanks in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January -14°C / 6°F -21°C / -5°F 13 mm 10
February -11°C / 13°F -19°C / -2°F 20 mm 11
March -3°C / 26°F -13°C / 8°F 14 mm 9
April 6°C / 44°F -5°C / 23°F 16 mm 10
May 16°C / 61°F 5°C / 41°F 30 mm 15
June 21°C / 69°F 11°C / 52°F 62 mm 19
July 22°C / 71°F 13°C / 55°F 74 mm 18
August 18°C / 64°F 10°C / 50°F 88 mm 20
September 12°C / 53°F 4°C / 39°F 49 mm 16
October 2°C / 35°F -4°C / 25°F 29 mm 13
November -8°C / 17°F -14°C / 7°F 24 mm 13
December -12°C / 10°F -19°C / -2°F 27 mm 13

Other cities with similar February weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Fairbanks in February →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Fairbanks in February?

In February, Fairbanks averages a high of -11°C (13°F) and a low of -19°C (-2°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Fairbanks in February?

February can be fairly wet in Fairbanks, with about 11 rainy days on average.

Is February a good time to visit Fairbanks?

February is cold. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Fairbanks in February?

Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full February packing list for Fairbanks for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Fairbanks on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.