How Alaskans Navigate the Challenges of Cold Weather

A friend from middle school had a saying: 'Alaskans are not impervious to the cold; we simply know how to combat it.' This couldn't be more true. While 30 degrees isn't pleasant, and 0 isn't enjoyable, we know how to dress to stay warm and comfortable.

Adapting to Cold Weather

A good winter coat is an obvious necessity, and gloves and a hat are very helpful for walking around. But did you know there are entire articles of clothing that are completely unknown to people from hot climates? These items are useful if you're spending any length of time outdoors or engaging in outdoor activities. For instance, it's not like we all go around drenched in sweat when it's 5 degrees because we find it too hot. While outdoor activities can be enjoyable, the key is proper clothing and gear to stay warm and comfortable.

Acclimation and Perception of Temperature

People who live in cold climates do tend to acclimate to them a bit. Temperatures are to some degree relative. For instance, 40 degrees in the fall feels a lot chillier than 40 degrees in the spring. However, come up to Alaska in April, and though you might be bundled up in five layers plus a parka on top, it's not strange to see locals walking around without jackets and a few even in shorts. The same 40 degrees in October tends to see people wearing at least a light jacket. My friend, however, can be seen in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt anytime it's above -10. It's more about relative comfort levels rather than set temperature points.

Larger Scale Climate Adaptation

When it comes to larger scale climate adaptation, people in Florida break out the parkas when it drops below 70. In Alaska, 60 degrees is definitely shorts weather; 70 is shorts-and-tanktop weather, and 80 is find-the-closest-walk-in-freezer weather. 50 is pleasant and very tolerable. I’d rather go hiking in 50 degrees with a light mist than 75 and sunny—it’s easier to stay cool when it’s not hot out. 20 feels brisk but not bone-chilling. Part of that is the relative lack of wind in Alaska—I’ll take 15 degrees in Alaska over 25 in the Midwest any day of the week because the latter often comes with howling winds that bite your ears and eyelashes off. And Fairbanksans say they prefer their winters to Anchorage's even though it’s a good 20–30 degrees colder up there because of the complete stillness of the air.

Perception of Cold and Complaints

It's not until it starts to get down around 5-10 degrees that many Alaskans start to notice the cold. It becomes complaint-worthy when it’s below about -20. I’m pretty adaptable when it comes to temperature. I’m as much at home in 110-degree desert heat as I am on a typical 20-degree day in Anchorage, and yes, the average daytime high in January is about 20 in Anchorage. But I will say that my 17 years in Alaska have probably permanently affected me in one way: I have to have it cool to sleep. In the winter, we kept the house around 60 degrees at night, and in the summer, nighttime temperatures rarely stayed above 65. All the windows were open, and fans were blowing. I find it difficult to sleep comfortably if it's any higher than about 68, and if it goes above 70 at night, I will wake up drenched in a pool of sweat.

Future Concerns and Adaptations

To date, all of my summers have been spent either in Alaska or on the west coast where temperatures drop like a rock at night (dry air does that). But once the last of my family leaves Alaska and I end up spending a full summer out east or south, this will be a very real issue. I will probably have to spend a small fortune on air conditioning. I am not looking forward to seeing what my electric bill is going to look like. However, the experience of living in such a climate has been eye-opening, and it's taught me to appreciate the importance of proper temperature control both indoors and outdoors.